Scoundrel
/ˈskaʊ̯ndɹəl/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A mean, worthless fellow; a rascal; a villain; a person without honor or virtue.
"Go! if your ancient but ignoble blood / Has crept thro' Scoundrels ever ſince the Flood."
- 2 a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately wordnet
Example
More examples"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
Etymology
From earlier scondrel, scondrell, skoundrell, skowndrell, of unknown origin. Possibly related to northern English or Scottish scunner, skuner, scouner, scunder (“to shrink back in fear, disgust, or loathing”) (Encyclopædia Britannica 1911).