rakehell

[reyk-hel] /ˈreɪkˌhɛl/

noun

a licentious or dissolute man; rake.

adjective

Also, rakehelly

[reyk-hel-ee] /ˈreɪkˌhɛl i/ (Show IPA). dissolute; profligate.

Origin

1540-50; alteration by folk etymology (see rake¹, hell) of Middle English rakel (adj.) rash, rough, coarse, hasty (akin to rake⁴); compare Old Norse reikall wandering, unsettled

British Dictionary definitions for rakehell

rakehell

/ˈreɪkˌhɛl/

noun

a dissolute man; rake

adjective

profligate; dissolute

Word Origin

C16: from rake1 + hell; but compare Middle English rakel rash

Word Origin and History for rakehell

1540s, possibly an alteration (by association with rake (n.1) and Hell) of Middle English rakel (adj.) "hasty, rash, headstrong," probably from raken "to go, proceed," from Old English racian "to go forward, move, hasten," of unknown origin. Cf. rakeshame (n.) "one who lives shamefully" (1590s).