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Villainy
Definitions
- 1 Characteristic of a villain.
"We are all villainy— very villainy, as I am a Christian man."
- 1 Evil or wicked character or behaviour. uncountable
"Mos Eisley spaceport- you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."
- 2 a criminal or vicious act wordnet
- 3 A wicked or treacherous act. countable
"He drew from his pocket a pistol, which, devoid of principle or honour, with an assassin-like assault, he instantly aimed at the breast of Lord Deloraine, but which, in the struggle that ensued, as if by retributive justice, went off unexpectedly and lodged its contents in the body of Melliphant,—thus doomed to receive his punishment by his own hand, and by the very weapon he had carried for his own defence in the perpetration of his villanies."
- 4 the quality of evil by virtue of villainous behavior wordnet
- 5 Ill-treatment, indignity, degrading or shameful treatment of someone. obsolete, uncountable
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- 6 Disgrace, ignominy. obsolete, uncountable
- 7 The state of being a villein or serf, and by extension servitude or low estate in life. obsolete, uncountable
- 8 Boorishness, rudeness, bad cultivation or manners. obsolete, uncountable
Etymology
From Middle English vileinie, vileynye, from Anglo-Norman vilenie, from Old French vilanie.
From villain + -y.
See also for "villainy"
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