I. ˈkəniŋ, -nēŋ adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from present participle of cunnen to know — more at can
1. obsolete
a. : possessed of or marked by knowledge, learning, or lore
b. : possessing occult or magical knowledge
2. : marked by dexterous or crafty use of some special skill, knowledge, or other resource
gnomes and the brownies, the cunning little people who know how to use the bellows, the forge, the hammer and the anvil — Lewis Mumford
the birds … were found singularly cunning and repeatedly eluded the aim of these prime shots — George Meredith
3. : marked by keen insight, practical analytic intelligence, resourcefulness, or ability to anticipate, escape, elude
the same cunning artist Daedalus who planned the Labyrinth — J.G.Frazer
his cunning knowledge of the weaknesses of the human heart — T.S.Eliot
4. : marked by wiles, craftiness, artfulness, or trickery in attaining ends
the cunning contrivance of traps and pitfalls — Lewis Mumford
this cunning subterfuge of, Januslike, looking two ways at once — C.C.Furnas
5. : appealing (as by reason of smallness, prettiness, quaintness, or archness) : fetching
a cunning little baby
a cunning little kitten
Synonyms: see clever , sly
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from ger. of cunnen to know
1. obsolete : knowledge , learning
2. obsolete : art ; especially : magic art
3. : skill , dexterity
let my right hand forget her cunning — Ps 137:5 (Authorized Version)
4. : skill in devising or using indirect or subtle methods : ability to mislead, trap, or escape an enemy or opponent : slyness , craft
Synonyms: see art , deceit