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单词 evil
释义

† eviln.2

Forms: 1600s euil.
Origin: Probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: evil n.1
Etymology: Probably a specific (euphemistic) use of evil n.1
Obsolete.
Perhaps: a privy; a latrine. N.E.D. (1894) claimed that there seemed to be no grounds for this interpretation except in the two quotations themselves ‘where hovel would suit equally well’. Similar passages, however, are to be found elsewhere, as 2 Kings 10:27: ‘And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.’ Compare also the following:
1653 J. Birkenhead Bibliotheca Parliamenti in Two Cent. Pauls Church-yard 61 Whether ever since the House of Commons was locked up, the Speakers Chaire hath not been a Close-stoole?.. Whether it be not seasonable to stop the Nose of my Evill?
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. ii. 177 Hauing waste ground enough, Shall we desire to raze the Sanctuary And pitch our euils there? View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. i. 68 Let 'em looke they glory not in mischiefe Nor build their euils on the graues of great men. View more context for this quotation
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

eviln.3

Brit. /ˈiːvl/, /ˈjiːvl/, U.S. /ˈiv(ə)l/, /ˈjiv(ə)l/
Etymology: The Old English word for ‘fork’ is geaful; a parallel form *gifel might give evil in dialects.
dialect.
(See quot.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > [noun] > fork
forkc1000
graip1459
prong1492
crotch1539
evil1642
yelve1688
prong fork1765
1642 in Cotton Barnstaple (1890) 68 [The common sort] betooke themselves to armes..some with pikes, some with dunge Evells, some with great poles.
1863 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. (new ed.) II. (Gloss.) 722/2 Evil, three-pronged fork.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

eviladj.n.1

Brit. /ˈiːvl/, U.S. /ˈiv(ə)l/
Forms: Old English–Middle English yfel (in inflexions yf(e)l-), (Middle English ifel, Middle English efel, yfell, Middle English ywel(l, Middle English ufel, Middle English uvel(e, Middle English ivel, (Middle English ȝevel, Middle English ivil), Middle English–1500s evel(l(e, (Middle English ewelle, hevelle, 1500s ewil, yell), Middle English–1500s evill(e, -yl(l(e, yvel(l(e, (1500s yevill), Middle English– evil.
Etymology: Middle English uvel (ü), Old English yfel = Old Saxon uƀil, Old Frisian, Middle Dutch evel (Dutch euvel), Old High German ubil, upil (German übel), Gothic ubils < Old Germanic *uƀilo-z; usually referred to the root of up, over; on this view the primary sense would be either ‘exceeding due measure’ or ‘overstepping proper limits’. The form evel , whence the modern form descends, appears in Middle English first as west midland and Kentish, but in 15th cent. had become general. The conditions under which early Middle English/i/ or /y/ became /eː/, the antecedent of modern English /iː/, are not clearly determined; the present word and weevil seem to be the only examples in which this change was other than local; obsolete and dialect instances are yeve = ‘give’, leve = ‘live’, easle n. (Other apparent examples are due to Old English forms with eo, resulting < u- or o- umlaut.)
A. adj. The antithesis of good adj., n., adv., and int. in all its principal senses.In Old English, as in all the other early Germanic languages except Scandinavian, this word is the most comprehensive adjectival expression of disapproval, dislike, or disparagement. In mod. colloquial English it is little used, such currency as it has being due to literary influence. In quite familiar speech the adj. is commonly superseded by bad; the n. is somewhat more frequent, but chiefly in the widest senses, the more specific senses being expressed by other words, as harm, injury, misfortune, disease, etc.
I. Bad in a positive sense.
1. Morally depraved, bad, wicked, vicious. Also absol. Obsolete as applied to persons.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective]
litherc893
unledeeOE
evil971
missOE
murkOE
unrighteousOE
unseelyOE
un-i-seliOE
unselec1050
wickc1175
foul-itowenc1225
unwrast?c1225
un-i-felec1275
wickedc1275
wrakefula1350
felonousc1374
unquertc1390
unperfect1395
felona1400
wanc1440
meschant?c1450
sinnyc1475
unselc1480
poison?1527
pernicious?1533
scelerous1534
viperous?1548
improbate1596
scelestious1609
scelestic1628
spider-like1655
dark-hearted1656
demonic1796
nineteda1798
sinful1863
971 Blickl. Hom. 37 We sceolan..ure heortan clænsian from yflum geþohtum.
971 Blickl. Hom. 161 Hi cyningum & yfelum ricum ealdormannum wiþstandan mihtan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1742 To bærnenn all þatt ifell iss. Aweȝȝ inn hise þeowwess.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xv. cxvii. 795 Pentapolis..haþ þat name of fyve citees of euel men þat were destroiede with fyre of heuene.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) x. 31 Ivel men, þe which neyþer lovith god, neyþer hire neghebowre.
c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 8106 Lothe is Eville mannys soule & body boþe.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xxi. f. xxxv He will evyll destroye those evyll persons.
1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel Hist. Cambria 16 Sigebert..for his Euill behaviour was expelled.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. viii. 21 The imagination of mans heart is euil from his youth. View more context for this quotation
1796 S. T. Coleridge Relig. Musings in Poems Var. Subj. 162 She..from the dark embrace all evil things Brought forth and nurtur'd: mitred Atheism!
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 1156 Imputing to a person an evil inclination.
1871 S. Smiles Character i. 10 Good deeds act and react on the doers of them; and so do evil.
absolute.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 23 Alle men shullen cume to libben echeliche..þe gode on eche blisse..þ e uuele on eche wowe.a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 25249 On domesday..þe euill sall fra þe gude be drawn.1827 R. Pollok Course of Time II. x. 235 To the evil..Eternal recompence of shame and wo.
2. Doing or tending to do harm; hurtful, mischievous, prejudicial. Of advice, etc.: Misleading. Of an omen, etc.: Boding ill.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [adjective]
litherc893
scathefulc900
balefulOE
orneOE
teenfulOE
evilc1175
venomousc1290
scathela1300
prejudiciala1325
fell?c1335
harmfula1340
grievous1340
ill1340
wicked1340
noisomea1382
venomed1382
noyfulc1384
damageousc1386
mischievousc1390
unwholesomea1400
undisposingc1400
damnablec1420
prejudiciable1429
contagiousc1440
damagefulc1449
pestiferous1458
damageable1474
pestilent?a1475
nuisable1483
nocible1490
nuisible1490
nuisant1494
noxiousa1500
nocent?c1500
pestilential1531
tortious1532
pestilentious1533
nocive1538
offensivea1548
vitiating1547
dangerous1548
offending1552
dispendious1557
injurious1559
offensible1575
offensant1578
baneful1579
incommodious1579
prejudicious1579
prejudical1595
inimicous1598
damnifiable1604
taking1608
obnoxious1612
nocivousc1616
mischieving1621
nocuous1627
nocumentous1644
disserviceable1645
inimical1645
detrimentous1648
injuring1651
detrimental1656
inimicitial1656
nocumental1657
incommodous1677
fatal1681
inimic1696
nociferous1706
damnific1727
inimicable1805
violational1821
insalutary1836
detrimentary1841
wronging1845
unsalvatory1850
damaging1856
damnous1870
wack1986
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adjective] > harmful or injurious
litherc893
scathefulc900
orneOE
teenfulOE
atterlichc1050
evilc1175
wicka1250
scathela1300
deringa1325
unkindc1330
harmfula1340
ill1340
wicked1340
shrewdc1380
noisomea1382
venomed1382
noyfulc1384
damageousc1386
infectivea1398
unwholesomea1400
annoying?c1400
mischievous1414
damnablec1420
contagiousc1430
mischievable?a1439
damagefulc1449
damageable1474
unhappy1474
nuisable1483
nocible1490
nuisible1490
nuisant1494
noxiousa1500
nocent?c1500
hurtful1526
sinistral1534
nocive1538
offendent1547
offensivea1548
dangerous1548
naughtya1555
dispendious1557
offensible1575
wrackful1578
baneful1579
hindersome1580
scandalizing1593
damnifiable1604
taking1608
toadish1611
illful1613
nocivousc1616
mischieving1621
nocuous1627
obnoxious1638
nocumentous1644
vicious1656
nocumental1657
abnoxious1680
dungeonable1691
offending1694
hurtsomea1699
nociferous1706
sinister1726
damnific1727
hazardous1748
slaughtering1811
damaging1856
damnous1870
lethal1942
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 3 Heo urnen on-ȝein him al þa hebreisce men mid godere and summe mid ufele þeonke.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 42 Is hit nu swa ouer vuel for tototin vtward.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1271 Ah þa heora fader wes dæd þe sunen duden vuelne [c1300 Otho vuele] ræd.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 593 Thurghe evelle conceille was slayne..the Erle of Arundelle.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 330 Evyl ensaumple of opyn synne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 4635 He prisoned was wiþ euel rede.
a1400–50 Alexander 703 Þe euyll sterne of Ercules how egirly it soroȝes.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. (MS. A.) 41 It is not yvel to putte a litil opium to þe oile of þe rosis.
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 808 Hym shulnot harme non hevelle thyng.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 4 Gouernauncis of the clergie whiche summe of the comoun peple..iugen..to be yuele.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 217/2 Evyll tourne, maluais tour.
1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel Hist. Cambria 99 King Edward by euill counsell..banished Algar.
1587 L. Mascall Bk. Cattell: Oxen (1627) 36 Yeugh is euill for cattell to eate.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 v. vi. 44 The owle shrikt at thy birth, an euill signe.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xxxvii. 20 Some euill beast hath deuoured him. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Drummond Flowres of Sion 40 Weigh not how wee..(Euill to our selues) against thy Lawes rebell.
1655 N. Culpeper et al. tr. L. Rivière Pract. Physick i. xvi. 57 In a great Headach it is evil to have the outward parts cold.
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters II. 129 The neglect of art..has been of evil consequence to the Christian world.
1868 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. I. 403 The evil system of pluralities.
3. Uses partaking of senses A. 1, A. 2:
a. evil will n. depraved intention or purpose; also, desire for another's harm; = ill will n. rare in modern use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-will > [noun]
evil willc897
leth971
loathc1175
atterness?c1225
ill1303
maltalentc1330
ill-willingnessa1340
talenta1380
malignityc1390
ill willa1400
fellnessc1410
malevolencec1454
malignation?c1500
hatefulness1548
malignance1605
malevolency1635
malignancy1640
reptilism1821
fiendism1852
unbenignity1867
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill will, malevolence > [noun]
evil willc897
leth971
loathc1175
atterness?c1225
ill1303
maltalentc1330
ill-willingnessa1340
talenta1380
malignityc1390
ill willa1400
with hard (also sorry) gracec1405
malevolencec1454
malignation?c1500
malignitiesa1529
hatefulness1548
malignance1605
fiendishness1613
malevolency1635
malignancy1640
fellness1678
malevolentness1727
malignantness1727
reptilism1821
unbenignity1867
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxi. 157 He of yfelum willan ne gesyngað.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 66 Þe dyeuel beginþ þet uer of tyene and euel wyl uor to becleppe.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 121 For enuye and yuel wille is yuel to defye.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1065 For caym gaf him wit iuel will.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. l. 5732 To Leulyn forgaf he alle his euelle wille.
1480 W. Maryon Let. 19 Nov. in Cely Lett. (1975) 99 Y wrote nat so vnto you for no spyte, neder for no hewell well that I haue to yow.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxix. 142 The duke..pardoned them all his yuell wyll.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xxxvv He dyd so, of no euill wyll or contempte.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Rogat. Week iii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 492 Cast we off all malice & all evil will.
a1569 M. Coverdale Fruitful Lessons (1593) sig. Gg Many afflictions, much euill will..shal happen vnto you.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales iii. ii. 65 He [Piso] increased the euill will of the people towards him.
1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 388 All such as haue an euil will to Sion.
b. evil angel, spirit, etc. Also, the evil one (†Sc. the evil man): the Devil.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > [noun] > good or evil
evil angel, spiritc950
wightc950
potestatec1384
principality1561
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [noun]
evil angel, spiritc950
ghosteOE
uncleanOE
demonOE
devilOE
devilshineOE
groa1225
debleriea1325
devilnessa1400
devilryc1400
sprat?a1475
nicker1481
fiend of hell1509
imp1526
virtue1584
elf1587
succubus1601
blue devilc1616
black man1656
woolsaw1757
buggane1775
bhut1785
demonic1785
pishachi1807
devil-devil1831
skookum1838
taipo1848
lightning bird1870
demonry1883
pisaca1885
mafufunyanas1963
mare1981
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xiv. 26 Forðon yfel wiht is.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Gjv Sundrie illusions of euyl spirites.
1611 Bible (King James) Luke vii. 21 Hee cured many..of euill spirits. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. ii. 333 Bru. Speake to me, what thou art. Ghost. Thy euill Spirit Brutus? View more context for this quotation
1648 Acts Gen. Assemb. 463 (Jam.) Whilest some fell asleep, and were carelesse..the evil man brought in prelacy.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 463 That space the Evil one abstracted stood From his own evil. View more context for this quotation
1686 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. II II. vii. 977 The Ministry of the evil Angels to him.
1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. i. 24 They did not suppose those wise Men..had an evil Spirit.
1825 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zicci 2 The Evil Spirit is pulling you towards him.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 117 Sakhr was an evil Jinnee.
1881 Bible (R.V.) Matt. vi. 13 Deliver us from the evil one.
c. Of repute or estimation: Unfavourable. evil tongue n. a malicious or slanderous speaker. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > [adjective]
evilc1330
shrewdc1384
ill1483
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 20 Of him in holy kirke men said euelle sawe.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. vi. 8 By yuel fame and good fame.
c1450 Myre 58 Wymmones serues thow moste forsake, Of euele fame leste they the make.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xxviii. 19 Wel is him that is kepte from an euell tonge.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxii. 19 He hath brought vp an euill name vpon a virgine of Israel. View more context for this quotation
a1891 Mod. Newspaper The defendant was arrested in a house of evil repute.
4.
a. Causing discomfort, pain, or trouble; unpleasant, offensive, disagreeable; troublesome, painful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > wretchedness > [adjective]
unledeeOE
sorryOE
evila1131
usellc1175
wanlichec1275
bad1276
sorry1372
meana1375
caitiff1393
loddera1400
woefula1400
foulc1400
wretched1450
meschant?1473
unselc1480
peevisha1522
miser1542
scurvy?1577
forlorn1582
villainous1582
measled1596
lamented1611
thrallfula1618
despicable1635
deplorable1642
so-and-so1656
poorish1657
squalida1660
lamentable1676
mesquina1706
shan1714
execrable1738
quisby1807
hole in the wall1822
measly1847
bum1878
shag-bag1888
snidey1890
pathetic1900
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > [adjective] > unpleasant
loatha700
unsweetc890
grimlyc893
unquemeOE
un-i-quemeOE
evila1131
sourc1175
illc1220
unhightlyc1275
unwelcomec1325
unblithec1330
unnetc1330
unrekena1350
unagreeablec1374
uncouthc1380
unsavouryc1380
displeasantc1386
unlikinga1398
ungaina1400
crabbedc1400
unlovelyc1400
displeasing1401
eschewc1420
unsoot1420
mislikinga1425
unlikelya1425
unlustya1425
fastidiousc1425
unpleasantc1430
displicable1471
unthankfulc1475
displeasant1481
uneasy1483
unpleasinga1500
unfaring1513
badc1530
malpleasant?1533
noisome1542
thanklessa1547
ungrate1548
untoothsome1548
ungreeable1550
contrary1561
disagreeable1570
offensible1575
offensive1576
naughty1578
delightlessa1586
undelightful1585
unwisheda1586
unpleasurable1587
undelightsomec1595
dislikeful1596
disliking1596
ungrateful1596
unsweet?a1600
distastive1600
impleasing1602
distasting1603
distasteful1607
unsightly1608
undelectable1610
disgustful1611
unrelishing1611
waspisha1616
undeliciousa1618
unwished-for1617
disrelishing1631
unenjoyed1643
unjoyous1645
mirya1652
unwelcomed1651
unpleasivea1656
sweet1656
injucund1657
insuave1657
unpalatable1658
unhandsome1660
undesirable1667
disrelishablea1670
uncouthsome1684
shocking1703
nasty1705
embittering1746
indelectable1751
undelightinga1774
nice and ——1796
unenjoyablea1797
ungenial1796
uncomplacent1805
ungracious1807
bitter1810
rotten1813
uncongenial1813
quarrelsome1825
grimy1833
nice1836
unrelished1863
bloody1867
unbewitching1876
ferocious1877
displeasurable1879
rebarbative1892
charming1893
crook1898
naar1900
peppery1901
negative1902
poisonous1906
off-putting1935
unsympathetic1937
piggy1942
funky1946
umpty1948
pooey1967
minging1970
Scrooge-like1976
sucky1984
stank1991
stanky1991
a1131 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1124 Se king let hine don on ifele bendas.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 161 The berry of..the wyld Uine.., the euill tast wherof wyll cause them to lothe Grapes.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. lxxxviii. 130 The herbe..is of a very evill and strong stincking savour.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xx. 113 We name that Evil, which is apt to produce or increase any Pain, or diminish any Pleasure in us.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam liv. 78 Are God and Nature then at strife, That Nature lends such evil dreams? View more context for this quotation
†b. Hard, difficult. Const. to with infinitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [adjective]
arvethc885
uneathOE
arvethlichc1000
evilc1175
hardc1175
deara1225
derfa1225
illc1330
wickeda1375
uneasy1398
difficul?a1450
difficile?1473
difficulta1527
unready1535
craggy1582
spiny1604
tough1619
uphill1622
shrewda1626
spinousa1638
scabrous1646
spinose1660
rugged1663
cranka1745
tight1764
thraward1818
nasty1828
upstream1847
awkward1860
pricklyc1862
bristling1871
sticky1871
rocky1873
dodgy1898
challengeful1927
solid1943
ball-busting1944
challenging1975
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 147 Hit is uuel to understonden on hwulche wise Mon mei him solf forsake.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 63 Hony is yuel to defye and engleymeth þe mawe.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxxi. 286 It was yuell mountyng of yt hyll.
1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. A ivv Astriction..is ether very euyll to be founde, or els there is none to be founde at all.
†5.
a. Of conditions, fortune, etc., also (rarely) of persons: Unfortunate, miserable, wretched. evil health n. misfortune (see health n.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > attended by or causing affliction
eileOE
soreOE
unselec1050
evilc1175
derfa1225
stourc1275
feeble1297
illa1325
fella1400
unhappya1400
unwealful1412
importunea1425
noisomea1450
shrewd1482
importunable?c1485
importunate1490
funestal1538
nippingc1550
troublesome1552
pinching1563
grievesome1568
afflicting1573
afflictive1576
pressing1591
lacerating1609
funest1636
funestous1641
gravaminous1659
unkind1682
plightful1721
damning1798
acanthocladous1858
damnatory1858
fraught1966
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 33 Hwi beo we uule on þisse wrecche world.
a1300 Floriz & Bl. 441 Hi beden God ȝiue him uuel fin.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 7320 Þei aske anoþer kyng þen me Euelhele þe tyme shul þei se.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 39 Thenne cam agaynst him the king of Poulane, but that was to his euyl helthe.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin i. 20 Thow toldest the person that thow were euel ther-on.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 78 He..after the dede & euylhap..fledd with all from þis land.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 217/2 Evyll lucke, malevr.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. v. 19 The officers..did see that they were in euill case. View more context for this quotation
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. iii. §15. 509 So beaten, and in such euill plight.
b. Of periods of time: Characterized by misfortune or suffering, unlucky, disastrous. evil May-day: see May Day n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adjective] > unlucky or disastrous
evil1377
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ix. 120 Wastoures and wrecches out of wedloke..Conceyued ben in yuel tyme.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) iii. 107 Evyll daye gyve you, god.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 780 Her rash hand in evil hour Forth reaching to the Fruit. View more context for this quotation
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) iv Help me in my Evil Day.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. iv. 67 In an evil hour, I..changed my lodgings.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 280 In times which might by Englishmen be justly called evil times.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 186 The Boii..determined to anticipate the evil day.
6. evil eye n. (Phrases, to bear, cast, look with, an evil eye.)
a. A look of ill-will.
ΚΠ
c1000 Liber Scintillarum xxvii. (1889) 102 Unclænnyss eage yfel [oculus malus] withersacung..gemænsumiaþ man.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Mark vii. 22 Fro withynne, of the herte of men comen..vnchastite, yuel yre [read yȝe; a1425 L.V. iȝe], blasphemyes.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xx. f. xxviij Ys thyne eye evyll because I am good?
1611 Bible (King James) Mark vii. 22 Lasciuiousnesse, an euill eye [Rev. V. an evil eye], blasphemie. View more context for this quotation
a1639 W. Whately Prototypes (1640) i. xx. 202 Why should wee..beare an evill eye towards them?
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) x. 79 Let not thine eyes be evill.
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 84 They look with an Evil Eye upon Leghorne.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 394 Patriotic citizens will cast an evil eye upon you as a subverter of the laws.
b. A malicious or envious look which, in popular belief, had the power of doing material harm; also, the faculty, superstitiously ascribed to certain individuals, of inflicting injury by a look. Cf. French mauvais œil, Italian malocchio.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell > malignant enchantment or curse > evil eye
ill eye1615
evil eye1796
malocchio1821
bad eye1848
1796 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XVIII. 123 The less informed..are afraid of their [old Women's] evil Eye among the cattle.
1797 J. Dallaway Constantinople 391 Nothing can exceed the superstition of the Turks respecting the Evil Eye of an enemy or infidel.
1834 E. Bulwer-Lytton Last Days of Pompeii I. i. iii. 52 He certainly possesses the gift of the evil eye.
1871 C. Reade Terrible Tempt. xxxiii Or if you didn't kill him, you'd cast the evil eye on him.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. at Evil 'E's a nasty downlookin' fellow—looks as if 'e could cast a nev'l-eye upon yo'.
II. Bad in a privative sense: not good.
†7.
a. Of an animal or vegetable growth or product, as a tree, fruit, the body, ‘humours’: unsound, corrupt. Of a member or organ: diseased. to have an evil head: to be insane. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > insalubrity > [adjective]
evilc1000
unsete1387
pestilenta1398
pestilentiala1398
unhealfulc1400
unthendec1425
unsetyc1440
unwholesomec1455
ill1488
pestifere1490
contagious1495
infectious1534
pestiferous1538
unhealthsome1544
unkindlyc1570
deletery1576
deleterious1587
bad1589
unhealthful1598
unsound1598
unhealthy1600
sickly1604
deleterial1621
tetrous1637
insalubrious1638
unseasoned1638
cankered1645
healthless1650
insalutary1694
maliferous1727
insanous1742
unsalubrious1781
unsanitary1872
insanitary1874
devitalizing1875
antihygienic1876
unhygienic1883
unhealthy-looking1890
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) vii. 17 Ælc yfel treow byrþ yfele wæstmas.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 178 Gif of þære wambe anre þa yfelan wætan cumen.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 183 Gief þe licame beð euel, loð is heo þe sowle.
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1878 Iuel blod was hire withinne.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. vii. 18 A good tree may nat make yuel fruytis, nether an yuel tree make good fruytis.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. (MS. A.) 38 Yvel fleisch growiþ in a wounde.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 20 A gentille man..was riotous..and hadd an evelle hede [Fr. male teste].
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1372/2 I am an olde man and haue a verye euill backe.
1591 F. Sparry tr. C. de Cattan Geomancie 199 I iudged that the horse had an euill foote and was worth nothing.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxiv. 3 Very euill [figs] that cannot be eaten, they are so euill. View more context for this quotation
b. Of air, diet, water: wanting in the essentials of healthy nutrition; unwholesome. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. (MS. A.) 80 If..þe eir be yvel, þe sike man schal be chaungid into good eyr.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xviii. 24 Beastis they..myght eate at their pleasure without bredde, whiche was an euyll dyette.
1587 J. White in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) iii. 764 The water whereof was so euill.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 140 Oh he hath kept an euill diet long.
†8.
a. Inferior in quality, constitution, condition or appearance; poor, unsatisfactory, defective. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > [adjective]
evil971
lowc1175
poor?c1225
feeblec1275
vilea1300
petty1372
unthende1377
secondary1386
petitc1390
unmeeta1393
illa1400
commonc1400
coarse1424
indigent1426
unlikelyc1450
lesser1464
gross1474
naughty1526
inferior1531
reprobate?1545
slender1577
unlikely1578
puny1579
under1580
wooden1592
sordid1596
puisne1598
provant1601
subministrant1604
inferious1607
sublunary1624
indifferent1638
undermatched1642
unworthy1646
underly1648
turncoated1650
female1652
undergraduate1655
farandinical1675
baddishc1736
ungenerous1745
understrapping1762
tinnified1794
demi-semi1805
shabby1805
dicky1819
poor white1821
tin-pot1838
deterior1848
substandard1850
crumby1859
cheesy1863
po'1866
not-quite1867
rocky1873
mouldy1876
low-grade1878
sketchy1878
midget1879
junky1880
ullaged1892
abysmal1904
bodgie1905
junk1908
crap1936
ropy1941
bodger1945
two-star1951
tripey1955
manky1958
schlocky1960
cack1978
wank1991
bowf1994
971 Blickl. Hom. 197 Heo [seo cirice] is eac on onsyne utan yfeles heowes.
13.. tr. Leges Burgorum c. 63 in Sc. Stat. I. 345 And gif scho makis ivil ale and dois agane þe custume of þe toune..scho sall gif til hir mercyment viii s or..be put on þe kukstule.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 21805 Þis tale queþir it be iuil or gode I fande it writin.
c1400 Rom. Rose 4459 Whanne she wole make A fulle good silogisme..aftirward ther shal in deede Folwe an evelle conclusioun.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. (MS. B.) 8 Euyle maners beþ folwynge þe lyknesse of an yvele complexioun.
?c1450 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. ix. 229 Vayns..gude to be opynd for..euyll sight.
1561 in T. Thomson Inventories 141 Item, ane evill litle burdclaith of grene.
1576 E. Grindal Remains (1843) (modernized text) 392 I pray your lordship, appoint when you come to take an evil dinner with me.
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. i. 38 If a man cut with an euill knife, hee is the cause of cutting, but not of euill cutting.
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 142.
†b. Of a workman, work, etc.: unskilful. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [adjective] > unskilled in art or craft > specifically of worker or work
illa1400
evil1530
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 416/1 I acloye with a nayle, as an yvell smythe dothe an horse foote.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 37/1 None euill captaine was hee in the warre.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. f. 85 He is an euell pyper but a good fiddler.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 36 An excellent good seede for an euyll husbande.
1799 S. Freeman Town Officer (ed. 4) 146 Forfeit every hide marred or hurt by his evil workmanship.
B. n.1
I. The adjective used absol. That which is evil.
1.
a. In the widest sense: that which is the reverse of good; whatever is censurable, mischievous, or undesirable. Also with adjective: moral evil, physical evil.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > [noun] > in widest sense
illa1300
evil1382
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. iii. 5 Ȝe shul ben as Goddis, knowynge good and yuel.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 939 Y made eville & good to you knowen.
1559 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 153 I, Sir Willm Paynter..wt all vnderstanding of good and evell, make this my last will.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. iii. 5.
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man i. 284 All Nature is but Art, unknown to thee..All partial Evil, universal Good.
1759 S. Johnson Idler 29 Dec. 409 Almost all the moral Good which is left among us, is the apparent Effect of physical Evil.
1813 J. M. Good et al. Pantologia (at cited word) The most serious difficulty lies in accounting for the permission of moral evil or guilt.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles xviii. 290 The Christian, which ever recognizes the reality of evil.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 180 Evil is of two sorts, evil of sin, and evil of punishment.
1869 J. Martineau Ess. Philos. & Theol. 2nd Ser. 42 Moral evil is a broad black fact.
1878 B. Stewart & P. G. Tait Unseen Universe vii. 269 The greatest of all mysteries—the origin of evil.
b. What is morally evil; sin, wickedness.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > [noun]
evilc1040
darknessOE
lithera1225
illa1300
illnessc1500
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [noun]
woughc888
manOE
evilness1000
evilc1040
un-i-thora1200
witherfulnessc1200
mixshipc1225
quedeship?c1225
lithernessa1240
unwrastshipa1250
felonyc1290
shrewheadc1290
litherhead1297
wickedheada1300
wicknessa1300
follyc1300
shrewdom13..
wickhedec1305
shrewdheadc1315
shrewdnessc1315
unwrastnessc1315
wickc1330
wickednessa1340
quedehead1340
quedeness1340
lewdnessa1387
felona1400
wickedleka1400
wickedredea1400
badnessc1400
shrewdshipc1400
shrewnessc1425
wickdomc1440
noughtinessa1500
naughtiness?1529
sinfulness1530
noughtihoodc1540
meschancy1609
scelerateness1613
meschantnessa1630
nefariousness1727
devilness1853
c1040 Rule St. Benet (Logeman) 3 Gecyr from yfele & do god.
a1175 Cott. Hom. 219 Þat teonðe werod abreað, and awende on yfele.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 11 An wereȝed gost..him aure tacheð to ufele.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) iv. xxv. 71 To..chesen the good fro euylle.
1596 W. Raleigh in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 37 Converting badd into yevill and yevill in worse.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. iii. 7 Feare the Lord, and depart from euill . View more context for this quotation
c. What is mischievous, painful, or disastrous.
ΚΠ
c850 Bede's Death-song in Sweet Old Eng. Texts 149 To ymbhycgannae..huaet his gastae, godaes aeththa yflaes aefter deothdaege doemid uueorthae.
971 Blickl. Hom. 115 Nu is æghwonon yfel and slege.
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1135 Al unfrið, & yfel, & ræflac.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 788 Ðat ywel him sulde nummor deren.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 249 Ȝelde to noo man yvel for yvel.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7949 Iuel he sal apon þe rais.
a1400–50 Alexander 1699 Depely þam playnt, Quat erroure of þis Emperoure & euill þai suffird.
c1450 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 709 Morbosus, full of ewylle.
1611 Bible (King James) Job ii. 10 Shall wee receiue good at the hand of God, and shall wee not receiue euil?
1789 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. xviii. §17 (note) It was the dread of evil, not the hope of good that first cemented societies together.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xcvi. 146 Evil haunts The birth, the bridal. View more context for this quotation
2. to do evil, †say evil. (In post-inflectional English hardly distinguishable from use of evil adv.) †with evil: with evil intention. †to take in, or to, evil: to take (a thing) ill; also, to be hurt by.
ΚΠ
c825 Vesp. Psalter xiv. [xv.] 3 Ne he dyde ðæm nestan his yfel.
971 Blickl. Hom. 51 He us þonne forgyldeþ swa we nu her doþ, ge godes ge yfeles.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) v. 11 Eadige synt ge þonne hi wyriað eow and ehtað eow and secgeað ælc yfel [L. omne malum] ongen eow.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) v. 29 Þa þe god worhton farað on lifes æreste, and þa þe yfel [L. mala] dydon on domes æreste.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. viii. 23 ‘And whoso synneth’, I seyde ‘doth yuel, as me þinketh’.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23183 For good & euele þat þei dud ere.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 2494 Mi lordes..Take it not in euel that I say here.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 3972 That stroke Generides to yuel nam.
c1450 (c1400) Emaré (1908) 535 Another letter she made with evyll.
?1510 T. More tr. G. Pico della Mirandola in tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. d.v If folk bakbyte vs & sey iuell of vs: shal we so greuousli take hit: that lest thei shulde sey yuel we shulde begin to do yuel?
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Kivv/2 To do Euil, malefacere.
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. v. 1 They consider not that they doe euill. View more context for this quotation
1842 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zanoni 29 He does no evil.
3. With defining word: that which is evil in some particular case or relation; the evil portion or element of anything. Also quasi-abstract as in to see the evil of (a course of action).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > cause of
evilc897
anguishc1330
discomfortc1405
trouble1591
dree1791
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxi. 157 Ðu meaht geseon eall ðæt yfel openlice ðæt ðærinne lutað.
c1400 Solomon's Bk. Wisd. 70 Ȝif he wot any yuel by þe.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cv. 127 So that all thynges consydred, the good and yuell, they yelded them to therle of Derby.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. viii. sig. T6v The euill donne Dyes not, when breath the body first doth leaue.
1611 Bible (King James) John xvii. 15 I pray..that thou shouldest keepe them from the euill . View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxviii. 162 All evill..inflicted without intention..is not Punishment.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 163 If then his Providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good. View more context for this quotation
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia II. xxix. 35 To inquire what were the sources of..the evil that we suffer.
1877 J. B. Mozley Univ. Serm. (ed. 3) ii. 34 The evil which is the excess of appetite and passion is not so bad as the evil which corrupts virtue.
II. A particular thing that is evil.
4. gen. Anything that causes harm or mischief, physical or moral. the social evil: prostitution.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [noun] > a harmful thing or person > thing
thornc1230
plaguea1382
foea1393
evila1400
flaw1481
detriment?1504
tooth1546
fang1555
decay1563
bane1577
dagger1600
scourge1603
cursea1616
blighter1821
bacillus1883
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8108 Þir wandes thre wit-in þe rote Gains iuels all þai bar al bote.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 277 & þenne euelez on erþe ernestly grewen.
c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) 3696 Of twa euels gif ȝe nede þe tane To chese.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 237 Of two euylles men ought to choose the lasse.
1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Prouerbes sig. E.viiv A lytle euyl, a great good.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 76 Among other euils, they [sc. hop gardens] wyl be ful of wormes.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. xxii. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the euill, and hideth himselfe. View more context for this quotation
1674 R. Godfrey Var. Injuries in Physick 94 We being admonisht by the vulgar proverb, To choose the least of Evils.
1793 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 135 There are evils to which the calamities of war are blessings.
1835 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece I. 305 Correcting an evil which disturbed the internal tranquillity of Sparta.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 136 One of the chief evils which afflicted Ireland.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 12 A real evil to be combated.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 75 We can afford to forgive as well as pity the evil which can be cured.
†5. A wrongdoing, sin, crime. Usually plural. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > wrongful deed > [noun]
misdeedeOE
guilt971
evilOE
follya1275
trespassc1290
errorc1330
illa1340
untetchea1375
offencec1384
crimec1390
forfeit1393
faultc1400
demerit1485
disorder1581
misfeasancea1626
misactiona1667
trespassage1874
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > [noun] > an evil deed > an evil deed, fault, or offence
sinc825
guilt971
man deedOE
evilOE
misbodea1200
follya1275
unthrift1303
misbreydec1380
offencec1384
crimec1390
forfeit1393
felonya1400
faultc1400
misfeatc1400
feat1481
demerit1485
misdemeanoura1513
facta1533
piaculum1575
miscarriage1579
delinquishment1593
delinquency1603
piacle1644
amissness1648
peccancy1648
OE Beowulf 2094 I(c ð)am leodsceaðan yfla gehwylces ondlean forgeald.
c1000 Ags. Ps. cv. 25 [cvi. 32] Þær Moyses wearð mægene gebysgad for heora yfelum.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 15 Þas þeues þet nulleð nu nefre swike heore uueles.
a1300 E.E. Psalter lxxiv. 5 [lxxv. 4] I said to wicke, Ivels wicli do þer forn.
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iv. i. 109 Yif þat yuelys passen wiþ outen punyssheinge.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxi. 465 I have don many grete evylles agenst my creatour.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Worcester xvii King Edwardes evilles all wer counted mine.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 76 Of these supposed euils..[t]o acquite my selfe. View more context for this quotation
1614 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. II. O.T. vi. 181 Men think either to patronize, or mitigate euils, by their fained reasons.
†6. A calamity, disaster, misfortune. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck
unsitheOE
evila1300
mischiefa1325
illa1340
adversity1340
infortunea1393
infortunity1477
cladec1480
misfortunec1485
fortune1490
trouble?1521
stumble1547
infelicity1575
disgrace1622
unfortunacya1662
disgracia1740
miscanter1781
reversal1846
avalanche1850
rough spin1919
a1300 E.E. Psalter lxxxix. [xc.] 15 Yheres in whilke we segh ivels þus.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 41 He reprouid þe rych, and seid many iuel to cum to hem.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xix. 408 Grete evylles and harmes are happeth therby.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Esther viii. B How can I se the euell that shal happen vnto my people?
1590 J. Smythe in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) (Camden) 64 Ther may uppon dyvers accidents ensue such and so great evills unto your Majestie and Realme.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 281 How in safety best we may Compose our present evils . View more context for this quotation
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. i. 14 With the additional evil of being separated from his family.
7.
†a. gen. A disease, malady. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > [noun]
soreOE
cothec1000
sicknessc1000
evilc1275
maladyc1275
grievance1377
passiona1382
infirmityc1384
mischiefa1387
affectiona1398
grievinga1398
grief1398
sicka1400
case?a1425
plaguec1425
diseasea1475
alteration1533
craze1534
uncome1538
impediment1542
affliction?1555
ailment1606
disaster1614
garget1615
morbus1630
ail1648
disaffect1683
disorder1690
illness1692
trouble1726
complaint1727
skookum1838
claim1898
itis1909
bug1918
wog1925
crud1932
bot1937
lurgy1947
Korean haemorrhagic fever1951
nadger1956
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8782 Aurilie wule beon dæd. þat ufel is under his ribben.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 114 Than him tok an iuel strong.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 3001 Som..Sal haf als þe yuel of meselry.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) viii. 29 A medicinal thing it [aloes] es for many euils.
1480 W. Caxton tr. Trevisa Descr. Eng. 25 The yelow euyll that is called the Jaundis.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 121 The slow creeping Evil eats his way. View more context for this quotation
1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick 280 It cannot be expected that..the feeling his Pulse..will remove the Evil he labours under.
figurative.c1400 Rom. Rose 3269 This is the yvelle that love they calle.
b. the Aleppo evil: ‘a disease, which first appears under the form of an eruption on the skin, and afterwards forms into a sort of boil’ ( Penny Cycl. XII. 12/2). †the foul evil: the pox. †the falling evil: = ‘the falling sickness’, epilepsy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [noun] > fit or stroke > epilepsy
brothfallc1175
foul evila1398
the falling evila1400
falling gouta1400
land-evilc1440
falling sickness1485
epilency1495
falling-ill1561
comitial fit1562
St John's disease1574
epilepsy1578
falling disease1580
St John's evil1605
epilepse1804
sacred malady-
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > venereal disease > [noun] > syphilis
foul evila1398
grandgore1497
French disease1503
French pox1503
pox1503
great pocka1519
great pox1529
morbus gallicus1543
gore1554
marbles1592
verol1596
Spanish pox1600
verola1600
the foul evil1607
bube1608
grincome1608
Neapolitan1631
lues1634
scabbado1651
venereal syphilis1653
foul disease1680
gout1694
syphilid1829
syphiloid1833
syphiloderma1850
vaccino-syphilis1868
neurosyphilis1878
old ral1878
syph1914
bejel1928
cosmic disease-
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11831 Þe fallyng euel had he to melle.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) vi. 69 It heleth him of the fallynge Euyll.
?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 791 Hic morbus caducus, the fallyn evylle.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 654 The bloode of a Lambe mingled with wine, doth heale..those which haue the fowle euill.
1869 E. A. Parkes Man. Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 79 The Aleppo evil, the Damascus ulcer, and some other diseases.
c. Short for king's evil n.: scrofula. Also attributive in †evil gold, the gold coin (see angel n. 10) given by the king to those touched by him for ‘the evil’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of visible parts > eruptive diseases > [noun] > scrofula
king's evila1387
scrofulac1400
escroeles1483
swine's evil1528
strume1559
struma1565
queen's evil1584
evila1616
crewels1660
royal evila1678
scrofulosis1860
scrofulide1864
scrofulodermia1899
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 182 Les escrovelles, a disease called the quynnancy or the kynges yvell.]
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 147 Macd. What's the Disease he meanes? Mal. Tis call'd the Euill.
1667 London Gaz. No. 154/4 There will be no farther Touching for the Evil till Michaelmas next.
1702 London Gaz. No. 3814/4 Stolen..two Pieces of Evil Gold.
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. ii. 14 When golden Angels cease to cure the Evil.
1751 Fielding in Lond. Daily Advertiser 31 Aug. Two of the most miserable Diseases..the Asthma and the Evil.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. App. 536 The first who undertook to cure the evil by the royal touch.

Compounds

C1. Of the adj., chiefly parasynthetic adjectives.
evil-affected adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-will > [adjective]
hateleOE
swartOE
ill-willinga1300
illc1330
ill-willeda1340
evil-willya1382
hatefula1400
malignc1429
malicea1500
maltalentivea1500
ill-willy15..
malevolent1509
malevolous1531
ill asposit1535
ill-givena1568
stomaching1579
malignant1592
gall-ful1596
gall-wet1597
ill-affecteda1599
unpleasant1603
evil-affected1611
gallsome1633
ill-meaning1633
ill-natured1645
unbenign1651
sullen1676
unbenevolent1694
reptilian1855
unbenignant1856
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill will, malevolence > [adjective]
hateleOE
balefulOE
swartOE
hatelyOE
ill-willinga1300
illc1330
ill-willeda1340
evil-willya1382
hatefula1400
malignc1429
malicea1500
maltalentivea1500
malevolent1509
malevolous1531
fiendisha1535
ill asposit1535
ill-givena1568
malignant1592
ill-affecteda1599
unpleasant1603
manless?1609
evil-affected1611
ill-willy1611
ill-meaning1633
ill-natured1645
swarthy1651
unbenign1651
reptile1653
sullen1676
maligning1687
unbenevolent1694
reptilian1855
unbenignant1856
1611 Bible (King James) Acts xiv. 2 Stirred vp the Gentiles, and made their mindes euill affected against the brethren. View more context for this quotation
evil-affectedness n.
ΚΠ
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. iv. 154 The evil-affectedness of the people.
evil-complexioned adj.
ΚΠ
1623 W. Drummond Cypresse Groue in Flowres of Sion 57 If they were not distempered and euill complexioned, they would not be sicke.
evil-eyed adj.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. i. 73 You shall not finde me (Daughter)..Euill-ey'd vnto you. View more context for this quotation
1661 T. Pierce Serm. 29 May 35 Nor can you rationally hope to keep your Peace any longer, then whilest the evil-ey'd Factions want power to break it.
1872 J. Ruskin Eagle's Nest §106 But to be evil-eyed, is that not worse than to have no eyes?
evil-fortuned adj.
ΚΠ
1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xxvi. 94 O fortune euyll fortuned why haste thou not permytted me, etc.
evil-headed adj.
ΚΠ
c1583 J. Balfour Practicks 490 (Jam.) Gif the awiner of the beist..knew that he was evil-heidit or cumbersom.
evil-hearted adj.
ΚΠ
1832 Ld. Tennyson Œnone in Poems (new ed.) 53 Evilhearted Paris,..Came up from reedy Simois all alone.
evil-hued adj.
ΚΠ
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 167 Me..tolde him. þet his deore spuse..were..lene & vuele i heowed.
evil-mannered adj.
ΚΠ
1656 J. Trapp Comm. Coloss. ii. 20 The most uncivil and evil-mannered..of all those who have borne the name of God upon earth.
evil-minded adj.
ΚΠ
1531 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. vii. 201 Opportunity was taken by the evil-minded to worry alien Surgeons.
1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther ii. 70 Some evil minded beasts might..wreak their hidden hate.
1817 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 8 Feb. 164 The endeavours which have recently been exerted..by designing and evil-minded men.
evil-mindedness n.
ΚΠ
1884 J. Parker Apostolic Life III. 144 We ourselves are..infinite in the variety of our evil-mindedness.
evil-officed adj.
ΚΠ
1607 T. Middleton Revengers Trag. ii. sig. C4v What makes yon euill offic'd man.
evil-qualitied adj.
ΚΠ
1613 J. Hayward Liues III. Normans 59 His returne was on foote, by reason of the euill qualitied wayes.
evil-savoured adj.
ΚΠ
c1400 Rom. Rose 4733 [Love is] Right evelle savoured good savour.
evil-starred adj.
ΚΠ
1842 Ld. Tennyson Locksley Hall in Poems (new ed.) II. 107 In wild Mahratta-battle fell my father evil-starred.
evil-thewed adj. [see thew n.1]
ΚΠ
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2177 Nevir þing so wild Ne so evill-thewid, as I was my selff.
evil-thoughted adj.
ΚΠ
1824 J. Symmons tr. Æschylus Agamemnon 11 Cure me of evil-thoughted care.
evil-tongued adj.
ΚΠ
1867 in Deutsch's Rem. 8 The evil-tongued messenger arrived in the camp.
evil-weaponed adj.
ΚΠ
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons Sig. *** They have been contented to suffer their soldiers to goe evill weaponed.
evil-willed adj.
ΚΠ
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ii. 189 Men of holy churche, Auerouse & euel~willed whanne thei ben auaunsed.
a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 26 Saturn is a planete evel-willid and ful of sekenes.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 25 Who schal rise to gidre wiþ me aȝenis þe iuil willid.
1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. i. xii. f. xlvv His wysedome wyll not entre into an euyl willed heart.
C2. Also evil-favoured adj., etc.
† evil-usage n. Obsolete = ill usage n.
ΚΠ
1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 93 Hemingius..writing of divorce..gives us sixe [causes thereof], adultery, desertion, inability, error, evill usage, and impiety.
C3. Of the n.
a.
(a) Objective with agent-noun.
evil-sayer n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > [noun] > one who slanders
missayer1340
slandererc1340
jurorc1380
third tonguea1382
defamerc1425
malignerc1425
disclanderer1447
praterc1500
evil-sayer1530
ill sayera1533
infamera1533
belier1541
sycophant1548
calumniatorc1550
disgracer1570
infamator1571
depraver1584
calumnier1586
libeller1589
infamizer1593
maldisant1598
oblocutor1603
traducer1603
villainizer1605
vilifier1611
calumner1614
scandallerc1620
scandalizer1632
blackmouth1642
deflowerer1645
famer1646
defamator1658
reflector1681
reflecter1686
asperser1702
bedirtera1742
libellist1794
mud-flinger1839
denigrator1875
mud-slinger1876
tar-brusher1884
libellant-
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 217/2 Evyll sayer, maldisant.
evil-speaker n.
ΚΠ
a1200 Moral Ode 274 Þeor beð naddren..Þa tered and freteð þe uuele speken.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) iii. v. 53 Gladly heryng euery euel speker.
evil-worker n.
ΚΠ
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. Pref. Behald ye doggis, behald ewil workeris.
1611 Bible (King James) Phil. iii. 2 Beware of euill workers . View more context for this quotation
(b) With verbal noun and present participle forming adjectives and substantives.
evil-boding n. and adj.
ΚΠ
1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) xi. 125 The evil-bodings which a succession of Job's comforters had been pouring into her ears.
1855 R. C. Singleton tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. I. 101 And evil-boding bitches, and ill-omened birds.
evil-saying n.
ΚΠ
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. aiiiiv Detraction is a preuy and secrete yuell, sayeng of our neighbour.
evil-speaking n.
ΚΠ
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Pet. ii. 1 Euill-speakings . View more context for this quotation
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. III. 495 Many good Men..look upon these Evil-speakings as a sort of Martyrdom.
1847 G. Grote Hist. Greece III. ii. xi. 187 [Solon] forbade absolutely evil-speaking with respect to the dead.
evil-wishing adj.
ΚΠ
1590 Sir P. Sidney Covntesse of Pembrokes Arcadia ii. x. f. 145v A country full of euil-wishing minds toward him.
b. Instrumental, with participles, forming adjectives.
† evil-bicaught adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 296 Thai weren sought and founde hem nought Tho he held hem iuel bicought.
evil-impregnated adj.
ΚΠ
1855 J. C. Stretton Woman's Devotion II. 25 Evil-impregnated air that seemed to surround Lady Jane, wherever she went.
C4. See evil-doer n., evil-willer n.
evil-proof adj. proof against evil.
ΚΠ
1864 W. W. Skeat tr. J. L. Uhland Songs & Ballads 63 Now, builder, finish the walls and roof, God's blessing hath made it evil-proof.

Draft additions June 2014

evil genius n. [compare earlier malus genius n. and its Latin etymon] (a) a malevolent spirit imagined as accompanying a person and seeking to influence him or her to do evil, and often paired with an opposed benevolent spirit; (in extended use) a person who exerts an evil influence; cf. genius n. 2, malus genius n.; (b) a person with an exceptional capacity for wrongdoing or malevolence; (also) a highly intelligent criminal or villain.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 365 A tradition of two Genii, which attend every man, one good, the other evill.]
1688 A. Behn tr. B. Le B. de Fontenelle Hist. Oracles i. 5 Evil Genii [Fr. des Genies mal-faisans], and Spirits condemn'd to eternal Punishment.
1702 N. Rowe Tamerlane iv. i. 1689 Thou..art an evil Genius to thyself.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. vii. 127 Some evil Genius, Enemy to Mankind, must have been the first Contriver.
1809 G. Watterston Child of Feeling ii. v. 39 He haunts me like my evil genius! I can go nowhere but I see him.
1924 Rolfe (Iowa) Arrow 10 July 1/1 He is an evil genius who will tear down American institutions and ideals, rather than build them up, as he makes it appear he will.
1992 Vanity Fair June 105 [Chuck] Colson..was known around the White House as the administration's ‘evil genius’.
2002 M. Warner Fantastic Metamorph. (2004) 246 Robert..goes there, at the urging of his evil genius, to kill his brother.
2007 Independent 22 Jan. 22/1 James Bond has beaten many a dastardly foe and evil genius in his long career, but the suave British secret agent has never successfully breached the Bamboo Curtain.

Draft additions February 2005

Evil Empire n. originally U.S. (depreciative) the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now historical); (also) communist nations collectively; (in extended use) any very powerful nation or organization which is perceived as a competitor, enemy, or potential threat.
ΚΠ
1983 R. Reagan in N.Y. Times 9 Mar. a18/6 I urge you to beware the temptation..to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms race a giant misunderstanding.
1992 Our Times Sept. 53/3 Even today, with the Evil Empire in tatters and the Cold War frozen in time, we are only a historical blip away from the madness brought on by anti-communism.
2003 Los Angeles Times (Electronic ed.) 19 Jan. Red Sox President Larry Lucchino, reacting to the Yankees' signing of Contreras, Japanese outfielder Hideki Matsui and Roger Clemens for $63.1 million, described the Yankees as the Evil Empire.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

† evilv.

Forms: Old English yfelan, yfelian, Middle English uvelien, Middle English i-uvelen, Middle English evel-, yl(en, Middle English evel, evyl.
Etymology: Middle English uvelien (ü), Old English yfelian, < yfel, evil adj.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To do evil to; to harm or injure; to ill-treat; to affect with disease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to
werdec725
wema1000
evilc1000
harmc1000
hinderc1000
teenOE
scathec1175
illc1220
to wait (one) scathec1275
to have (…) wrong1303
annoya1325
grievec1330
wrong1390
to do violence to (also unto)a1393
mischievea1393
damagea1400
annulc1425
trespass1427
mischief1437
poisonc1450
injurea1492
damnify1512
prejudge1531
misfease1571
indemnify1583
bane1601
debauch1633
lese1678
empoison1780
misguggle1814
nobble1860
strafe1915
to dick up1951
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [verb (transitive)] > to person or thing
werdec725
wemc900
forworkOE
evilc1000
teenOE
grievec1230
misdoc1230
mischievec1325
shond1338
endamagec1374
unrighta1393
damagea1400
disvail14..
disavail1429
mischief1437
outrayc1440
prejudice1447
abuse?1473
injuryc1484
danger1488
prejudicate1553
damnify?a1562
wrack1562
inviolate1569
mislestc1573
indemnify1583
qualify1584
interess1587
buse1589
violence1592
injure1597
bane1601
envya1625
prejudiciala1637
founder1655
c1000 Ags. Ps. lxxxii[i]. 3 And ehtunga ealle hæfdon, hu hi þine halgan her yfeladan.
c1000 Ags. Ps. cvi[i]. 38 Næs heora neata nan geyfelad.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 15 Ne scal us na mon uuelien þer uore.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15861 Ær þe uisc i-eten weore. i-uueled was þe king.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1740 Thou shalt lyve and welfare, Yf the no-thing evyll.
2. intransitive.
a. To grow bad (morally).
ΚΠ
1002–23 Wulfstan Sermo ad Anglos (1883) 156 Ðeos woruld..sceal..ær Antecristes tocyme yfeljan swiðe.
b. To fall ill; to be ill or sick.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > fall ill
sicklec1000
sicka1150
sickenc1175
evil1303
mislike?1440
fall1526
to take a conceit1543
to fall down?1571
to lay upa1616
to run of (or on) a garget1615
craze1658
invalid1829
wreck1876
collapse1879
to go sick1879
to sicken for1883
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 8032 She euylde, And deyde sunner þan she wylde.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 81 In Ynde beeþ men of fyue cubites long, þat eueleþ nouȝt, noþer ȝildeþ vp þe breeþ.
14.. tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 516 (Harl. 1900) The duke eueled so in the wey.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

eviladv.

Brit. /ˈiːvl/, U.S. /ˈiv(ə)l/
Forms: Old English yfele, yfle, Middle English uvele, ufele, Middle English–1500s evel(e, -el(l(e, yvel(e, -ell, (Middle English evyil, ivel, yvyl, yvle, Middle English avell, ewell, yeffell), Middle English–1600s evill(e, -yl(e, -yl(l(e, (1500s ewill), Middle English– evil.
Etymology: Middle English uvele (ü), ivele, evele, Old English yfele, < yfel = Old Saxon uƀilo (Dutch euvel), Old High German ubilo, upilo (Middle High German übele, German übel) < Old Germanic *uƀilô.
In an evil manner; ill.
†1.
a. Wrongly, wrongfully, wickedly, ill; esp. with to do, speak, etc. Obsolete; cf. evil n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > [adverb]
noughtlyeOE
evilc1000
illc1275
badlyc1405
evilly1581
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > corruption > [adverb]
evilc1000
viciouslya1325
corruptly1537
evilly1581
pravely1598
deboistly1604
corruptedly1610
deformedly1610
impurely1612
depravedly1643
debauchedlya1656
diseasedly1672
demoralizingly1821
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xviii. 22 Gif ic yfele [1160 Hatton efele] spræce cyð gewittnysse be yfele.
c1000 Ags. Ps. lxx[i]. 9 Oft me feala cwædon feondas yfele.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 147 Þe clergy Gaf a grete cursyng on whilk of þam..þat euelle bituex þam spak.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 12 Þei coueiten euyle here neiȝ eboris goodis.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6531 Sone herd he..þat his folk ful euil had don.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) xc. 413 The yonge sone..spendid Euyll the money that was take hym to the vse of the scole.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10493 Ector with envy evill he dyssayuet, Dang hym to dede.
1541 R. Barnes Wks. (1573) 361/1 Man euill vsyng hys free~will, dyd both loose him selfe, and also his freewil.
1547 Certain Serm. or Homilies Contention ii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) i. 138 If I be evil reviled, shall I stand still, like a goose or a fool?
1574 J. Baret Aluearie E 324 It is euill doone of you. Iniquè facis.
1611 Bible (King James) John xviii. 23 If I haue spoken euill beare witnesse of the euill. View more context for this quotation
b. to speak evil (Old English be) of: to speak maliciously, slanderously, abusively of; in later use perhaps regarded as a n., but in Old English and Middle English an adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > slander or calumny > slander or calumniate [verb (transitive)]
to say or speak shame of, on, byc950
teleeOE
sayOE
to speak evil (Old English be) ofc1000
belie?c1225
betell?c1225
missayc1225
skandera1300
disclanderc1300
wrenchc1300
bewrayc1330
bite1330
gothele1340
slanderc1340
deprave1362
hinderc1375
backbite1382
blasphemec1386
afamec1390
fame1393
to blow up?a1400
defamea1400
noise1425
to say well (also evil, ill, etc.) of (also by)1445
malignc1450
to speak villainy of1470
infame1483
injury1484
painta1522
malicea1526
denigrate1526
disfamea1533
misreporta1535
sugill?1539
dishonest?c1550
calumniate1554
scandalize1566
ill1577
blaze1579
traduce1581
misspeak1582
blot1583
abuse1592
wronga1596
infamonize1598
vilify1598
injure?a1600
forspeak1601
libel1602
infamize1605
belibel1606
calumnize1606
besquirt1611
colly1615
scandala1616
bedirt1622
soil1641
disfigurea1643
sycophant1642
spatter1645
sugillate1647
bespattera1652
bedung1655
asperse1656
mischieve1656
opprobriatea1657
reflect1661
dehonestate1663
carbonify1792
defamate1810
mouth1810
foul-mouth1822
lynch1836
rot1890
calumny1895
ding1903
bad-talk1938
norate1938
bad-mouth1941
monster1967
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 39 Nis nan þe on minum naman mægen wyrce & mæge raðe be me yfele sprecan.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xxxvi. 23 My greate name..which amonge the Gentiles is euel spoken of.
1580 T. North tr. Plutarch Lives 740 [Alexander's friends] beganne..to speake euill of him.
1611 Bible (King James) Mark ix. 39 There is no man, which shall doe a miracle in my Name, that can lightly speake euill of me. View more context for this quotation
a1649 W. Drummond Poems (1656) 187 Here Aretine lies..Who whilst he lived spoke evill of all.
a1768 T. Secker Serm. (1775) III. lxxxix. 229 Whoever is..long evil spoken of, hath been faulty.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 91 That I should be his enemy, and speak evil of him.
†c. to hear evil: to be evil spoken of; = Latin male audire. Cf. to hear ill at ill adv. 2b. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1584 Forme of Prayer Ch. Scotl. G 2 b If he haue..gouerned him selfe in suche sorte as the worde of God hath not hearde euill.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. E2v O what of Gods then boots it to be borne, If old Aveugles sonnes so euill heare?
†2. Harmfully, injuriously, esp. in to evil entreat; badly, severely, shamefully. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adverb]
evilc1275
balefullya1375
harmfullyc1374
teenfullya1375
wickedlya1375
unsoundlyc1400
ill1483
mischievously1512
noisomely1589
infectiously1609
evilly1631
damageably1648
poisonously1746
noxiously1755
injuriously1809
nocuously1847
damagingly1854
banefully1865
damnously1884
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [adverb]
evilc1275
balefullya1375
harmfullyc1374
teenfullya1375
wickedlya1375
unsoundlyc1400
prejudicially1467
ill1483
mischievously1512
pestilently1528
badly1580
noisomely1589
infectiously1609
prejudiciously1614
evilly1631
damageably1648
deleteriously1657
disserviceablya1670
noxiously1755
injuriously1809
nocuously1847
damagingly1854
banefully1865
detrimentally1879
damnously1884
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 953 Vfele [c1300 Otho vuele] he hine mærde.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 239 He het þet ha wer riȝt wel ybeate and euele y-draȝe.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2557 Do make vp Seynt petris churche þat þe Sarsynz han yule arayd.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour 23 They..plucked each other bi the here of the hede right evelle.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 16 Geffroy went to therthe vnder hys hors ryght euyl hurte.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9685 The bodies on bent brethit full euyll.
1562 Act 5 Eliz. c. 4. §35 If any such Master shall misuse or evil intreat his Apprentice.
1578 Gude & Godlie Ball. (1868) 133 I was..Euill totcheit and rockit.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxvi. 6 The Egyptians euil intreated vs, and afflicted vs. View more context for this quotation
1693 Mem. Ct. Teckele ii. 89 More fit to ruine and evil entreat the Peasants..than to fight an Enemy.
1749 Act 22 Geo. II in Beawes Lex Mercat. (1752) 251 Pillaged, beaten, or evil~intreated.
†3. With difficulty, hardly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > [adverb]
evil1377
painfully1539
difficultly1542
difficillyc1545
evillya1616
stickily1909
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xii. 8 In þyne olde elde þat yuel can suffre Pouerte.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ii. viii It is euyl sene said the knyghtes that thou art a true man that thou wolt not telle thy name.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 81 Full Euyll thow dourst hyme stond.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccccxxxviii. 771 They shulde full yuell agone any farther to gette any forage.
1580 T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (1676) 819 Brutus could evil away with the tyranny.
†4. Badly, poorly, indifferently, insufficiently; not well. evil at ease = ill at ease. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iv. 52 Euyll be we worthy to welden oure hire.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16119 Mi wijf es sumquat iuel at ess.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4422 Alas Ioseph..Euel is þe quit þi trewe seruyse.
c1420 Anturs of Arth. ix Alle bare was the body..in clething evyl clad.
1475 Bk. Noblesse 30 No cheveteyn can not have..good men of armes eville paied.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) ix. 253 I am evyll contente.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xviii. 21 With them came other folkis of the countrey..with brede euyll bakyn.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxxiii. 105 They were but yuell payed.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Idolatry ii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 197 The East and West Churches, which agreed evil before..fell to utter enmity.
1572 W. Malim tr. N. Martinengo True Rep. Famagosta f. 15 2000. horse, many of the which..being very leane and euill appoynted for seruice.
1587 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. xxi. i. 332 Sicke and evill at ease.
†5. Badly, defectively; imperfectly, unskilfully; also, incorrectly, wrongly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > unfittingness > [adverb]
evilOE
wrongc1175
unworthlyc1200
unkindly?c1225
ungraithlya1300
unkindlyc1300
wrongly1303
unconablya1340
unworthily1377
ungoodlyc1380
falsely1393
uncomelya1400
unsittinglyc1412
uncomelilyc1420
unorderly1471
ungainlya1500
ill?1529
unmeetly1533
unconveniently1538
undecently1563
unproperly1604
unbeseemingly1617
viciously1617
unbecomingly1653
abusefully1656
unbefittingly1871
OE Riddle 43 9 Hy gesunde æt ham findað witode him wiste ond blisse, cnosles unrim, care, gif se esne his hlaforde hyreð yfle, frean on fore.
a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1204 Ic wot if smithes sale vuele clenche.
c1300 Beket 404 So schal the pays of the londe wel uvele beon iholde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 25828 Qua-sim dos squa is iuel taȝt.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. (MS. A.) 93 Cankre..comeþ of a wounde yvel heelid.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iii. 46 Sirs, ye knewe Merlin full euell.
1551 R. Robinson in tr. T. More Vtopia Epist. sig. ✠iiiiv A good tale euel tolde.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 22 If it be shallowe in one place, and deepe in an other, it declares the grounde to be euill handled in the plowing.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 74 Shew me a reason why the Discord is euill taken here?
1629 S. Purchas Pilgrimes II. 1032 These vessels are more wide than ours, being evil made.
†6. Badly, unfortunately, unhappily, unsuccessfully. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [adverb]
evil971
unsellyc1275
chancefully1303
wrother-heala1325
badlyc1325
illc1325
ungraciouslyc1330
unhappilyc1374
evil haila1400
infortunately1442
shame to saya1450
ill haila1500
unluckily1530
unfortunately1548
unluckly1573
bad1575
haplessly1582
disasterly1593
lucklessly1596
untowardly1649
misfortunatelya1686
askew1858
971 Blickl. Hom. 247 Þy læs wen sie þæt we yfele forweorþon.
OE Genesis 387 Þæt sceolde unc Adame yfele gewurðan ymb þæt heofonrice.
c1400 Rom. Rose 1067 Yvel mote they thryve & thee..These losengers ful of envye!
1401 in T. Wright Polit. Poems & Songs (1859) II. 97 Evel mot he spede, that beggith of the puple more than is nede.
c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 18278 Evylle hast þou done thy-self to spede.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Chron. vii. 23 It went euill with his house. View more context for this quotation
1795 Robin Hood I. 83 Yeffell mot he the, Seche thre strokes he me gafe.
†7. With to become, like, etc. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1230 Hali Meid. 7 To don al & drehen þat him likeð ne sitte hit hire se uuele.
c1300 Beket 1179 Uvele bicom him to gon afote.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 548 Of thing men likis, euil or wele.
a1569 M. Coverdale Fruitful Lessons (1593) To Rdr. sig. A4v How euill doth it become a beleeuer, to be irefull and greedie of vengeance.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. viii. 83 How euill it beseemes thee, To flatter Henry. View more context for this quotation

Compounds

General attributive.
C1. With agent-nouns, forming nouns.
evil-liver n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > sinfulness > sinful person > [noun]
peccant1621
evil-liver1846
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > [noun] > evil living > person
misliver1436
evil-liver1846
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > sin > [noun] > person
sinfulc825
sinnerc1325
peccant1621
subject1801
evil-liver1846
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles xxxiii. 454 The ship of the Church,—encumbered with evil livers till it well nigh makes shipwreck altogether.
1887 B. St. J. Bellairs Gossips with Girls ii. 64 Do not delude yourself that..you will be able to reform a lover who has been an evil liver.
evil-looker n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun] > spell > malignant enchantment or curse > evil eye > one who possesses
evil-looker1697
1697 J. Evelyn Numismata ix. 302 Witches and Evil-lookers as they call them.
C2.
a. With present participles, forming adjectives.
evil-smelling adj.
ΚΠ
1881 W. Besant & J. Rice Chaplain of Fleet I. viii. 187 They were here, crouched in this filthy, evil-smelling place.
b. With verbal nouns, forming nouns.
evil-getting n. (concrete)
ΚΠ
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Invisible World (1659) iii. v. 163 He [Satan] heartens us in evil gettings, under pretence of the opportunity of liberall alms-giving.
evil-taking n.
ΚΠ
1547 Certain Serm. or Homilies Salvation iii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) i. 32 To avoid evil taking and misunderstanding.
C3.
evil-liking n. ill-favoured.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > ugliness > [adjective]
foulOE
uglyc1386
malgraciousa1393
unsightlya1400
loathc1400
ouglec1415
shrewdc1430
unsightyc1440
unwholesome?a1500
evil-favoured1530
ill-favoured1530
uglisome1530
huggeda1533
hard-favoureda1535
evil-liking1535
ill-favorited1579
stigmatical1589
stigmatic1597
sightlessa1616
hard-featured1638
grislya1681
bad-looking1757
unmackly1765
unfavourable1776
dissightly1777
eyesore1798
wavelled1886
spiderly1891
Plain Jane1912
hackit1985
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Joel i. 18 The bullockes are very euel likynge because they haue no pasture.
evil-sounding n. harsh-sounding; evil-willing adj.
ΚΠ
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Euil soundynge, absonus.
C4. With past participles, forming adjectives.
a. With sense ‘wickedly, wrongly’.
evil-disposed adj.
ΚΠ
1483 in Surtees Misc. (1890) 28 Breyerton, talȝer, has an ewell dyspossid woman to hys wyff.
1483 in Surtees Misc. (1890) 28 John Herrot has avell dyssposid chylld.
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1348/2 Hee was tost and tormoyled by wicked & euill disposed persons.
1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. xxxvii. 571 I should, on the contrary have created the Tribunate, had I been hypocritical or evil-disposed.
evil-gotten adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [adjective] > obtained or acquired > by evil means
wrong-gotten1388
evil winc1425
extort1430
misgottena1450
evil-gotten1539
ill-gottena1555
misbegotten1591
ill-gota1616
1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Prouerbes sig. C.viiijv Euyll gotten good go euyll away.
evil-won adj.
ΚΠ
1583 Semphill Ball. 210 Ane carling of the Quene of Phareis, That ewill win geir to elphyne careis.
b. With sense ‘imperfectly, unskilfully’ (= mis- prefix1)
evil-fashioned adj.
ΚΠ
c1496 Serm. Episc. Puer. (W. de W.) B iij Euyll-fasshened garmentes & deuyllysshe shoon & slyppers of frensmen.
evil handled adj.
ΚΠ
1549 Duke of Somerset Let. 24 Aug. (MS Cott. Galba B. xii) f. 115 In Norfolk gentlmen and all servingmen for their saikes are as evelle handled [1721 ed. J. Strype: illy handled] as maye bee.
evil-loved adj.
ΚΠ
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Euil loued, antiphalus.
evil-ordered adj.
ΚΠ
1526 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 235 That the napery be not torne nor rent or otherwise evill-ordered.
evil-pieced adj.
ΚΠ
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 270 Fauour, that is, euill peeced,..will not ioyne close, but falleth a sunder againe.
evil-shaped adj.
ΚΠ
1832 W. Motherwell Poems (1847) 17 And sway to their purpose Each evil-shaped mood.
evil-shapen adj.
ΚΠ
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. xxxii. 432 The pecok hath an..euyll shapen heed.
evil-sown adj.
ΚΠ
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) ccxlv. 28 The gayne is hers, the lose is myne, Of euell sowne seade suche is the frute.
evil-spun adj.
ΚΠ
1388 Songs Costume (Percy Soc.) 45 Ware of evel-spon waste.
evil-taught adj.
ΚΠ
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xx. 185 ‘Sire euel-ytauȝte elde’ quod I ‘vnhende go with the’!
c.
evil-sained adj. [see sain v.] lit. ‘ill-blessed’ i.e. accursed.
ΚΠ
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. K iv Away with luther and Caluine and sic euilsained sanctes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.2a1616n.31642adj.n.1c825v.c1000adv.971
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