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garnement

rascal, scamp

noun gar-nuh-MAHN Rare
People & Society Family

Origin: From Old French garnement (equipment, then vagabond), from garnir (to equip).

Usage Note

Garnement is typically applied to a mischievous child or young person with affectionate or mildly reproving overtones: petit garnement! ('you little rascal!'). It is now somewhat old-fashioned compared to coquin or galopin, but remains understood and used in literature and by older speakers. The original meaning of equipped person or armed ruffian is entirely obsolete.

Examples

"Ce petit garnement fait des bêtises."

Natural Translation

That little rascal is up to mischief.

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