|
|
| |
Definitions for: Villainy
[n] a treacherous or vicious act
[n] the quality of evil by virtue of villainous behavior
Webster (1913) Definition: Vil"lain*y, n.; pl. Villainies. [OE. vilanie, OF.
vilanie, vilainie, vileinie, vilanie, LL. villania. See
Villain, n.] [Written also villany.]
1. The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous;
extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness; as, the villainy
of the seducer. ``Lucre of vilanye.'' --Chaucer.
The commendation is not in his wit, but in his
villainy. --Shak.
2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul
talk. [Archaic]
He never yet not vileinye ne said In all his life,
unto no manner wight. --Chaucer.
In our modern language, it [foul language] is termed
villainy, as being proper for rustic boors, or men
of coarsest education and employment. --Barrow.
Villainy till a very late day expressed words foul
and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than
deeds. --Trench.
3. The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime.
Such villainies roused Horace into wrath. --Dryden.
That execrable sum of all villainies commonly called
a slave trade. --John Wesley.
Synonyms: villainousness
See Also: evil, evildoing, evilness, transgression
|
|
Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder
Scrabble Cheat
Words With Friends Cheat
Hanging With Friends Cheat
Scramble With Friends Cheat
Ruzzle Cheat
Related Resources:
animals starting with o
animals starting with w
z letter animals
|
