blighter
nounUK /ˈblaɪtə/ · US /ˈblaɪtɚ/
Etymology From blight (something that impedes development or growth, or spoils any other aspect of life) + -er.
1
One who blights.
2
Commonwealth, Ireland, UK A person, usually male, especially one who behaves in an objectionable or pitiable manner.
Often disrespectful
3
A man or child, especially an annoying one.
- "[I]f I had known that Pine was such a blighter as to leave me nothing, I'm hanged if I'd have allowed him to be buried in such decent company."1911, Fergus Hume, chapter 10, in Red Money:
- He knew that the old blighter had to be humored in certain small ways.1919, Anthony Hope, chapter 7, in The Secret of the Tower:
2 more examples
- I tackled the blighter squarely.1923, P. G. Wodehouse, The Inimitable Jeeves:
- Translation: there's still some hope for you, poor stammering blighter.2012 March 27, David Seidler, “The King's Speech play: At last, my crowning moment...”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 27 Dec 2012: