villainn.
/ˈvɪlən/, U.S. /ˈvɪlən/ 1. Originally, a low-born base-minded rustic; a man of ignoble ideas or instincts; in later use, an unprincipled or depraved scoundrel; a man naturally disposed to base or criminal actions, or deeply involved in the commission of disgraceful crimes:
a. Used as a term of opprobrious address.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [noun]
waryOE
geringc1290
thief1297
villain1303
gerardc1350
villainc1400
villainist1596
viliaco1600
evil genius1688
villagio1820
badman1855
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [noun] > state or quality of being contemptible > contemptible person
wormc825
wretchOE
thingOE
hinderlingc1175
harlot?c1225
mixa1300
villain1303
whelpc1330
wonnera1340
bismera1400
vilec1400
beasta1425
creaturec1450
dog bolt1465
fouling?a1475
drivel1478
shit1508
marmoset1523
mammeta1529
pilgarlica1529
pode1528
slave1537
slim1548
skit-brains?1553
grasshopper1556
scavenger1563
old boss1566
rag1566
shrub1566
ketterela1572
shake-rag1571
skybala1572
mumpsimus1573
smatchetc1582
squib1586
scabship1589
vassal1589
baboon1592
Gibraltar1593
polecat1593
mushroom1594
nodc1595
cittern-head1598
nit1598
stockfish1598
cum-twang1599
dish-wash1599
pettitoe1599
mustard-token1600
viliaco1600
cargo1602
stump1602
snotty-nose1604
sprat1605
wormling1605
brock1607
dogfly?1611
shag-rag1611
shack-rag1612
thrum1612
rabbita1616
fitchock1616
unworthy1616
baseling1618
shag1620
glow-worm1624
snip1633
the son of a worm1633
grousea1637
shab1637
wormship1648
muckworm1649
whiffler1659
prig1679
rotten egg1686
prigster1688
begged fool1693
hang-dog1693
bugger1694
reptile1697
squinny1716
snool1718
ramscallion1734
footer1748
jackass1756
hallion1789
skite1790
rattlesnake1791
snot1809
mudworm1814
skunk1816
stirrah1816
spalpeen1817
nyaff1825
skin1825
weed1825
tiger1827
beggar1834
despicability1837
squirt1844
prawn1845
shake1846
white mouse1846
scurf1851
sweep1853
cockroach1856
bummer1857
medlar1859
cunt1860
shuck1862
missing link1863
schweinhund1871
creepa1876
bum1882
trashbag1886
tinhorn1887
snot-rag1888
rodent1889
whelpling1889
pie eatera1891
mess1891
schmuck1892
fucker1893
cheapskate1894
cocksucker1894
gutter-bird1896
perisher1896
skate1896
schmendrick1897
nyamps1900
ullage1901
fink1903
onion1904
punk1904
shitepoke1905
tinhorn sport1906
streeler1907
zob1911
stink1916
motherfucker1918
Oscar1918
shitass1918
shit-face1923
tripe-hound1923
gimp1924
garbage can1925
twerp1925
jughead1926
mong1926
fuck?1927
arsehole1928
dirty dog1928
gazook1928
muzzler1928
roach1929
shite1929
mook1930
lug1931
slug1931
woodchuck1931
crud1932
dip1932
bohunkus1933
lint-head1933
Nimrod1933
warb1933
fuck-piga1935
owl-hoot1934
pissant1935
poot1935
shmegegge1937
motheree1938
motorcycle1938
squiff1939
pendejo1940
snotnose1941
jerkface1942
slag1943
yuck1943
fuckface?1945
fuckhead?1945
shit-head1945
shite-hawk1948
schlub1950
asswipe1953
mother1955
weenie1956
hard-on1958
rass hole1959
schmucko1959
bitch ass1961
effer1961
lamer1961
arsewipe1962
asshole1962
butthole1962
cock1962
dipshit1963
motherfuck1964
dork1965
bumhole1967
mofo1967
tosspot1967
crudball1968
dipstick1968
douche1968
frickface1968
schlong1968
fuckwit1969
rassclaat1969
ass1970
wank1970
fecker1971
wanker1971
butt-fucker1972
slimeball1972
bloodclaat1973
fuckwad1974
mutha1974
suck1974
cocksuck1977
tosser1977
plank1981
sleazebag1981
spastic1981
dweeb1982
bumboclaat1983
dickwad1983
scuzzbag1983
sleazeball1983
butt-face1984
dickweed1984
saddie1985
butt plug1986
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
microcephalic1989
wankstain1990
sadster1992
buttmunch1993
fanny1995
jackhole1996
fassyhole1997
fannybaws2000
fassy2002
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [noun] > wicked person > villain
geringc1290
thief1297
villain1303
gerardc1350
meschant1490
miscredent?a1500
miscreant1590
villainist1596
viliaco1600
villagio1820
badman1855
meanie1932
baddie1934
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > low or vulgar person > [noun] > as term of address
villain1303
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [noun] > baseness or moral vileness > person
wretchOE
filthOE
birdc1300
villain1303
caitiffc1330
crachouna1400
crathona1400
custronc1400
sloven?a1475
smaik?1507
rook?a1513
scavenger1563
scald1575
peasant1581
scaba1592
bezonian1592
slave1592
patchcock1596
muckworm1649
blackguard1732
ramscallion1734
nasty1825
cad1838
boundera1889
three-letter man1929
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 11557 Goddys treytour, and ryȝt vyleyn! Hast þou no mynde of Marye Maudeleyn.
1320–30 Horn Ch. (Ritson) 857 The begger answered in that tide, Vilaine, cunestow nought ride?
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 5471 Þanne he cryde and gan to sayn: ‘Whar art þow, Charlis, þow vylayn?’
?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) i. l. 645 in Shorter Poems (1967) 46 Ane me fand quhilk said in greif disdenȝeit Auant velane [1579 Edinb. veillane] thou reclus imperfyte.
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. C3v Villaine, haue I not bound thee to tel me any thing?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 19 Now knocke when I bid you: sirrah villaine . View more context for this quotation
1622 T. Dekker & P. Massinger Virgin Martir iv. sig. K2v Theoph. It matters not, We can discharge this worke without his helpe... Sap. Villaine.
1663 A. Cowley Cutter of Coleman-St. v. xii. 67 Villain, Rebel, Traitor, out o' my sight.
1764 H. Walpole Castle of Otranto i Presumptuous villain! cried Manfred, dost thou provoke my wrath?
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xvi. 325 Drunken villain,..thy idleness and debauched folly will stretch a halter ere it be long.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! v ‘Villain! give me your papers!’ cried Amyas.
b. In descriptive use. (Common from c1590.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [noun]
waryOE
geringc1290
thief1297
villain1303
gerardc1350
villainc1400
villainist1596
viliaco1600
evil genius1688
villagio1820
badman1855
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > low or vulgar person > [noun]
gadlinga1300
geggea1300
churlc1300
filec1300
jot1362
scoutc1380
beggara1400
carla1400
turnbroach14..
villainc1400
gnoffc1405
fellowc1425
cavelc1430
haskardc1487
hastardc1489
foumart1508
strummel?a1513
knapper1513
hogshead?1518
jockeya1529
dreng1535
sneakbill1546
Jack1548
rag1566
scald1575
huddle and twang1578
sneaksby1580
companion1581
lowling1581
besognier1584
patchcock1596
grill1597
sneaksbill1602
scum1607
turnspit1607
cocoloch1610
compeer1612
dust-worm1621
besonioa1625
world-worma1625
besognea1652
gippo1651
Jacky1653
mechanic1699
fustya1732
grub-worm1752
raff1778
person1782
rough scuff1816
spalpeen1817
bum1825
sculpin1834
soap-lock1840
tinka1843
'Arry1874
scruff1896
scruffo1959
α.
in extended use.1691 J. Hartcliffe Treat. Virtues 241 Thus they slander Human Nature, and make a Villain of it.1832 Q. Rev. Mar. 234 Perchance one hound in ten may throw his tongue as he goes to inform his comrades, as it were, that the villain is on before them.β. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxx. 8 They were the children of fooles & vylanes, which are deed awaye from the worlde.1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. (S.T.S.) xiii. 95 Wa worth ȝow Uillanis that slew that Prince maist wise.1573 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1889) IV. 154 For be-callyng the Constabelles knaves and wellanttes.1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 111* The Straunge Newes of the railing Villan.1601 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor v. i. sig. K4v Gui. I obey thee varlet; but for these villianes— Mus. Keepe the peace I charge you sir.1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 132 He hath not been afraid to rail on you, my Lord,..calling you an ungodly Villian . View more context for this quotation1704 J. Blair in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 132 Several of them of the most noted good preachers he affronted and abused with the most opprobrious & villifying names as Dog, Rogue, Rascal, Villin, Jesuit.1727 Philip Quared. (1816) 66 Those villians had most sacrilegiously rifled and ransacked his habitation.c1400 Rom. Rose 2183 Thise vilayns arn withouten pitee, Frendship, love, and alle bounté. I nyl resseyve unto my servise Hem that ben vilayns of emprise.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. iii. 99 They..answerd to hym that he was a vylayne to requyre & desire of them thynge that was so peryllous.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lxxxxv. 128 For he is a chorle and a vylayne that of his mouthe sayth ony vylonye.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. ccv In all the worlde nought vyler can I fynde Nor wors, than is a fals unkynde vylayne.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. E.vijv The greateste vyllany in a villayne is to be gyuen in largesse of lyes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 29 Thou art a Villaine to impeach me thus, Ile proue mine honor, and mine honestie Against thee presently, if thou dar'st stand. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. 84 The two most exact villaines in all the Country.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 302 He told me there were two desperate Villains among them, that it was scarce safe to shew any Mercy to.
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. xv. 99 Every villain fancies himself a man of abilities.
1814 Ld. Byron Corsair i. xi. 14 He knew himself a villain—but he deem'd The rest no better than the thing he seem'd.
a1842 T. Arnold Hist. Later Rom. Commonw. (1845) II. 56 The soldiers..told him that..if he played the villain he might win the throne.
1869 J. Ruskin Queen of Air §128 They are not made villains by the commission of a crime, but were villains before they committed it.
c. Used playfully, or without serious imputation of bad qualities. Also applied to a woman.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > playful mischievousness > mischievous person > [noun]
wait-scathe1481
wag-pastya1556
mischief1586
rogue1593
devil1600
villain1609
fiend1621
imp1633
sprite1684
torment1785
scapegrace1809
bad hat1877
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. ii. 31 Ile fetch her; it is the prettiest villaine . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. v. 12 Enter Maria...Heere comes the little villaine: How now my Mettle of India?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) i. ii. 19 A trustie villaine sir, that very oft..Lightens my humour with his merry iests. View more context for this quotation
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. i. 11 Jock, ye villain,..are ye lying routing there, and a young gentleman seeking the way to the Place?
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ix. 84 ‘Where's that villain, Joe?’ ‘Here I am; but I han't a willin,’ replied a voice. It was the fat boy's.
1908 R. Bagot Anthony Cuthbert xxiii. 300 If this afternoon's post does not bring me a letter from Jim,..I shall telegraph to the young villain.
d. (Usually with the.) The character in a play, novel, etc., whose evil motives or actions form an important element in the plot. Also transferred, esp. in villain of the piece.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > fiction > [noun] > creation or description of characters > villain
villain1822
bad guy1932
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > part or character > [noun] > types of part or character
underpart1679
persona muta1714
travesty1732
soubrette1753
old man1762
small part?1774
breeches-part1779
character part1811
fat1812
chambermaida1828
fool?1835
raisonneur1845
ingénue1848
villain of the piece1854
stock character1864
feeder1866
satirette1870
character role1871
travesty1887
thinking part1890
walk-on1902
cardboard cutout1906
bit1926
good guy1928
feed1929
bad guy1932
goody1934
walkthrough1935
narrator1941
cameo1950
black hat1959
1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Feb. 178/2 The fact is, you do not believe in such characters as Surface—the villain of artificial comedy—even while you read or see them.
1854 A. C. Mowatt Autobiogr. Actress vii. 133 Ayesha, the villain of the piece,..had received a great wrong.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. iv. 252 Arnulf, as usual, appears as the villain of the piece.
1879 D. Cook Nights at the Play (1883) II. 222 Mr. Vezin represented the villain, a welcher, pretending to be a Russian count.
1928 P. G. Wodehouse Money for Nothing ix. 200 I'm sure you're on the right track. This bird Twist is the villain of the piece.
1937 Discovery May 163/1 Fascism, in its ultra-national aspect, is the villain of the piece.
1978 P. Sutcliffe Oxf. Univ. Press v. i. 173 Ernest Barker and others took on Nietzsche and Treitschke, who could be regarded as the ultimate villains of the piece.
e. A professional criminal. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [noun] > crime > a criminal or law-breaker
waryOE
wandelard1338
breakerc1384
malefactora1438
law-breakerc1440
misgovernora1449
malfetoura1450
wrongdoer1501
contravener1567
criminal1610
contravenary1614
mug1865
crook1879
outlaw1880
punter1891
kink1914
heavy man1926
crim1927
antisocial1945
villain1960
banduluc1977
1960 Observer 24 Jan. 7/2 Suppose..a bogy did get it up for a villain now and again by making sure that some gear was found in his flat?
1963 L. Deighton Horse under Water xxxi. 125 This villain is doing a nice Cabinet Minister's home.
1975 Sunday Tel. 7 Dec. 1/2 A flying squad officer said: ‘As far as we know these are no ordinary villains. We believe they are Irish IRA.’
1977 L. Meynell Hooky gets Wooden Spoon xiii. 156 There'll be a getaway car..waiting close to the house with a villain in it... I don't like thieving villains.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > [noun] > inferior
villain1481
cull1919
the world > animals > birds > order Falconiformes (falcons, etc.) > family Accipitridae (hawks, etc.) > [noun] > unspecified and miscellaneous types of
villain1481
Lentiner1575
make-falcon1575
make-hawk1575
bockerel1653
waskite1655
hack hawk1686
bawrel1706
buzzardet1785
nankeen hawk1827
buteo1848
rook hawk1855
kite-eagle1883
star buzzard1884
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde ii. viii. 85 Ther ben popengayes..of whom, as men saye, they that haue on eche foot fyue clawes ben gentyl, and the vylayns haue but thre.
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 123 Of all kinde of hawkes.., as Sacres, Gerfalcons, peregrine Falcons, and Uilanes.
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 124 The Uyllaine and the Lanerette may be sette vpon the stone incontinently, as soone as they be made.
3. A person or animal of a troublesome character in some respect. Const. to with infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > [noun] > cause of > one causing
stroublerc1460
molester1569
discomfiter1807
terror1876
villain1895
sidewinder1906
trouble-maker1923
stirrer1963
1895 J. G. Millais Breath from Veldt vi. 134 The sable is a villain to run.
Compounds
villain-like adv.
ΚΠ
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxiv. 96 He..That names me traytor, villain-like he lies. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. vi. 218 Villain-like, I lye. View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
villainadj.
/ˈvɪlən/, U.S. /ˈvɪlən/ Now rare.† 1. Deficient in courtesy or good-breeding; boorish, clownish. Obsolete.in extended use.1591 E. Spenser tr. J. du Bellay Visions xii, in Complaints sig. Y4v A troupe of Satyres in the place did rout, Which with their villeine feete the streame did ray.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > [adjective] > ill-mannered > ill-bred
foul-itowenc1225
villain1340
villainous?a1366
lewdc1380
ungentle1398
low-bred1599
ill-bred1622
unbred1622
underbred1650
unjaunty1671
ungenteel1676
half-bred1694
ingenteel1694
cocktail1835
mal élevé1878
hairy at the heel1890
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 194 Zome þer byeþ zuo uyleyne to þe poure huanne hi ham yeueþ enye elmesse..þet wel is worþ þet zeluer.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 319 Will seith..That such an herte is to vilein, Which dar noght love.
c1407 J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte 1508 And she [Venus] kan also, in certeyn, Hertys which that be vileyn Disposen hem to gentilesse.
2. Base in character or disposition; given to committing vile or criminal acts.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > [adjective]
vilec1290
villain1340
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [adjective] > contemptible
unworthc893
unwrastc893
littleOE
narrow-hearteda1200
wretcha1200
unworthya1240
wretchedc1250
un-i-wrastc1275
bad1276
lechera1300
feeblea1325
despisablea1340
villain1340
contemptiblec1384
lousyc1386
caitiff1393
brothelyc1400
roinousa1425
poor1425
sevenpennyc1475
nasty1477
peakish1519
filthy1533
despectuous1541
beggary1542
scald1542
shitten?1545
disdainfula1547
contemptuous1549
despicable1553
skit-brained?1553
contemniblea1555
vile1560
sluttish1561
queer1567
scornful1570
scallardc1575
tinkerly?1576
worthless1576
beggarly?1577
paltry1578
halfpenny1579
dog bolt1580
pitiful1582
sneaking1582
triobolar1585
wormisha1586
baddy1586
dudgeon1592
measled1596
packstaff1598
roguey1598
roguish1601
contemptful1608
grovelling1608
lightly1608
disdainable1611
purulent1611
snotty-nose1622
vilipendious1630
cittern-headed1638
wormy1640
pissabed1643
triobolary1644
disparageable1648
blue-bellied1652
unestimable1656
scullion1658
piteous1667
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
snotty1681
snotty-nosed1682
mucky1683
bollocky1694
scoundrel1700
scaldeda1704
sneaking1703
ficulnean1716
unsolid1731
pitiable1753
scrubby1754
inimitable1798
scrubbish1798
worm-likea1807
small1824
lowlife1827
ketty1828
skunkish1831
yellow-bellied1833
scaly1843
cockroachya1845
wutless1853
nigger1859
trashy1862
low-down1872
cruddy1877
shitty1879
tinhorn1886
blithering1889
motherfucking1890
snidey1890
pilgarlicky1894
shitass1895
shoddy1918
yah boo1921
bitching1929
shit-faced1932
turdish1936
fricking1937
jerk-off1937
chickenshit1940
sheg-up1941
snot-nosed1941
jerky1944
mother-loving1948
scroungy1948
fecking1952
pissant1952
shit-kicking1953
shit-eating1956
bumboclaat1957
rassclaat1957
shit-headed1959
farkakte1960
shithouse1966
daggy1967
dipshit1968
scuzzy1969
bloodclaat1971
bitch ass1972
wanky1972
streelish1974
twatty1975
twattish1976
dweeby1988
douchey1991
wank1991
cockish1996
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [adjective]
villain1340
villains1390
glutton1532
villainous1570
miscreantic1793
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adjective] > base or vile
low?c1225
lechera1300
vilea1300
feeblea1325
unfreec1330
villain1340
wrackc1375
villains1390
noughty1443
slovenly?1518
peasant1550
sluttish1561
vild1567
knaifatic1568
scallardc1575
base1576
tinkerly?1576
beggarly?1577
cullion-like1591
brokerly1592
broking1592
ignoble1592
cullionly1608
disnoble1609
unsolid1731
lowly1740
blackguard1751
blackguardly1779
menial1837
low-flung1841
caddish1868
basilar1884
bounding1904
bounderish1928
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked > villainous
villain1340
villains1390
glutton1532
villainous1570
miscreant1593
miscreantic1793
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 18 Vor-zoþe he is wel vileyn and ontrewe auoreye his lhord þet alle guod him heþ y-do,..and [he] yelt him kuead uor guod.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 282 And whanne he hadde hem so forlein, As he the which was al vilein, He dede hem out of londe exile.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 226 To a cros of tre..naylyd was he And hangyd up betwyx thevys tweyne As mayster of hem and most veleyne.
c1489 J. Skelton Dethe Erle of Northumberlande l. 24 in Poet. Wks. (1843) I. 7 Vilane hastarddis in their furious tene, Fulfylled with malice of froward entente.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxiii. 690 Thou art the moste vileyn knyght that euer I mette in my lif.
a1500–34 Coventry Corpus Christi Plays i. 802 Owt! velen wrychis, har apon you I cry!
1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xxxix. f. 101v Ye vyllayn generation, full of pestyferous malyce.
1598 Min. Archdeaconry Colchester (MS.) 211 b He sayd that Thomas Reinoldes, senior, dyd call hym theefe and villaine thefe in the Church.
1605 S. Rowlands Hell's broke Loose sig. C2 So these leawd wretches, sprung from Villain race, That had all Pietie in detestation.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iv. ii. 73 Soft, what are you That flye me thus? Some villaine-Mountainers? View more context for this quotation
1727 J. Thomson Summer 27 Where, gloomily retir'd, The Villain Spider lives, cunning, and fierce, Mixture abhorr'd!
c1750 W. Shenstone Love & Honour 269 No! may the deep my villain corse devour.
1812 P. B. Shelley Mexican iii. 8 Thousands wake to weep Whilst they curse a villain king.
1897 A. C. Gunter Ballyho Bey x. 123 Go, leave me, villain-girl!
3. † b. Bringing or casting opprobrium. Obsolete.
a. Marked by baseness or depravity; partaking of the nature of villainy.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adjective] > base or vile > specifically of actions, conduct, etc.
vilec1290
villains1303
villain1340
base?1518
vild1568
slavish1597
grovelling1608
unworthy1694
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 59 Þe zenne of yelpynge..is wel grat and wel uoul, wel uals and wel vileyn.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr.) 1824 Allas of the this was a vileyn ded.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. vi. 134 To thende that they shold kepe them and defende them fro that vyllayne and horrible synne.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxvii. 99 God ye father glorious be your conduct, and put you out of all vylayne thoughtes.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxxix. 308 To wasshe, clens, and purge hym of suche vyllayne dedes as he was gyltye in.
1689 M. Prior Epist. to F. Shephard 118 When Lobb had sifted all his Text,..‘Now to apply,’ has plagu'd me more, Than all his Villain Cant before.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam cix. 172 Narrowness or spite, Or villain fancy fleeting by. View more context for this quotation
1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone I. xv. 175 This villain job shall not have ending here.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > disgrace or dishonour > [adjective]
shondly888
frakeda900
shondfula900
foulOE
shendful?c1225
shamelyc1275
shendlyc1275
shamefulc1330
villain1338
inhonest1340
shameworthy1382
shendshipful1382
dishonestc1386
slanderous1402
defamable?a1439
defamousc1450
misshamefulc1450
vituperablec1450
ignominious?a1475
shamevousc1475
inhominious1490
opprobrious?1510
opprobrousc1530
rebukeful1530
dishonourable1533
reproachful1534
disworshipful1539
dedecoratec1540
contumelious1546
spiteful1550
ignomious1571
inglorious1573
disgraceful1595
disgracive1602
vituperous1610
vituperious1612
disgracious1615
disparageable1617
propudious1629
deflowering1642
scandalized1664
dedecorous1755
disgracing1807
vituperate1832
vituperated1842
mighty1889
soddish1922
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 53 He did a grete outrage, His broþer a foule despite, him self vileyn skandre.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 128 Thre thinges distrained her for to eschewe diuerse plesauncez,..and tho were loue, drede, and shame;..shame, to be auised and saued from velanie [read velaine] reproche.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 154 A vyleyn woord is scharpere þan a rasour, & more peryschande þan an allys-poynt.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxxix. sig. Xiv I ensure you I wyll shewe him these vylayne wordes that ye say of hym.
4. † a. Of occupations: Low, mean. Obsolete.† c. Of disposition: Mean-spirited, base. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > work > [adjective] > low or menial
villainc1485
servile?1518
clock-punching1920
grunt1977
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 107 He suld nocht..be na stewart, na procuratoure, na aduocate or ony othir villayn craft.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. Dd.vij Cursed bee soo vylaine an office.
b. Low or mean in respect of birth or position; belonging to the common herd.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > low or vulgar person > [adjective]
carlisha1240
lewdc1380
carlc1450
villain1483
ruffian1528
shake-ragged1550
porterlike1568
popular1583
ungracious1584
ordinarya1586
tapsterly1589
mechanic1598
round-headed1598
base-like1600
strummell-patch1600
porterly1603
scrubbing1603
vernaculous1607
plebeian1615
reptile1653
proletarian1663
mobbish1695
low1725
terraefilial1745
low-lifed1747
Whitechapel1785
lowlife1794
boweryish1846
gutter1849
bowery1852
lowish1886
swab1914
lumpen1944
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton c v Thou art of vylayn blood by the fadres syde.
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton i vj Thou oughtest not to doubt neyther old nor yonge, pouer ne ryche, ne noble ne vylayne.
c1500 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. III. 36 Who can than holde hym selfe fro loue, nother fre nor vilayne?
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. x. sig. c.viiv Nother of duke, erle, lorde, by auncetre But of vylayne people.
1528 Rede me & be nott Wrothe sig. h iiij This is a grett presumpcion, For a villayne bochers sonne.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality vi, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 106 Sweeping from the face of the earth some few hundreds of villain churles, who are born but to plough it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > ignobleness or baseness > [adjective] > specifically of character
villain1509
mean1665
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > base person > [adjective]
vilea1300
unnoblea1382
noughty1443
villain1509
vild1567
scalded1568
brokerly1592
broking1592
poor-spirited1611
scald1742
basilar1884
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xii. 48 The vylayne courage they do much refuse That is boystous and rude of governaunce.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) iii. xvi. sig. Q.vv Yt seruant could scant be found, yt wer of such an vnkind villayn corage, yt [etc.].
5. Of bad quality; vile. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > [adjective]
woughc888
litherc893
frakeda900
sinnyc950
unrighteouseOE
baleOE
manOE
unfeleOE
ungoodc1000
unwrasta1122
illc1175
nithec1175
wickc1175
hinderfulc1200
quedec1275
wickedc1275
wondlichc1275
unkindc1325
badc1330
divers1340
wrakefula1350
felonousc1374
flagitiousc1384
lewdc1386
noughta1387
ungoodly1390
unquertc1390
diverse1393
felona1400
imperfectc1400
unfairc1400
unfinec1400
unblesseda1425
meschant?c1450
naughtyc1460
feculent1471
sinister1474
noughty?1490
ill-deedya1500
pernicious?1533
scelerous1534
naught1536
goodlyc1560
nefarious1567
iron1574
felly1583
paganish1587
improbate1596
malefactious1607
villain1607
infand1608
scelestious1609
illful1613
scelestic1628
inimicitious1641
infandous1645
iniquous1655
improbous1657
malefactory1667
perta1704
iniquitous1726
unracy1782
unredeemed1799
demoralized1800
fetid1805
scarlet1820
gammy1832
nefast1849
disvaluable1942
badass1955
bad-assed1962
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Yyy4/2 Villein fleeces..are fleeces of wolle that are shorne from scabbed sheep.
1851 D. G. Mitchell Fresh Gleanings 161 And carters shout to their mules in such villain patois Lyonnais.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† villainv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To debase or degrade; to insult.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > degrade [verb (transitive)]
vile1297
supplanta1382
to bring lowa1387
revilea1393
gradea1400
villain1412
abject?a1439
to-gradea1440
vilifyc1450
villainy1483
disparage1496
degradea1500
deject?1521
disgraduate1528
disgress1528
regrade1534
base1538
diminute1575
lessen1579
to turn down1581
to pitch (a person) over the bar?1593
disesteem1594
degender1596
unnoble1598
disrank1599
reduce1599
couch1602
disthrone1603
displume1606
unplume1621
disnoble1622
disworth?1623
villainize1623
unglory1626
ungraduate1633
disennoble1645
vilicate1646
degraduate1649
bemean1651
deplume1651
lower1653
cheapen1654
dethrone1659
diminish1667
scoundrel1701
sink1706
demean1715
abjectate1731
unglorifya1740
unmagnify1747
undignify1768
to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819
dishero1838
misdemean1843
downgrade1892
demote1919
objectify1973
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy i. 2492 For..it is to hygh a routhe A man tappere or dare do shewe his head When he hath ones his honour vyllanede.
1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 74 Suffre ye not the prelates of the Chirche of that lande..to be oppressed, revaled, ne vileyned.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 344/1 When they haue once vilayned the sacrament of matrimonye, then woulde they make vs vyolate the sacrament of the aulter too.
2. To call villain; to address as a villain.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [verb (transitive)] > address as villain
villain1609
1609 S. Rowlands Whole Crew Kind Gossips E 2 Some Rascall told my wife,..And I was villaind for it sound at night.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
<
n.1303
adj.1338
v.1412