villainousadj.
/ˈvɪlənəs/, U.S. /ˈvɪlənəs/ 1. Of persons:† a. Churlish, ill-bred, unmannerly. Obsolete. rare.
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
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 178 Ful foule and cherlysshe semed she, And eek vylayneus for to be, And litel coude of norture.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1497 Ȝe ar stif in-noghe to constrayne wyth strenkþe, ȝif yow lykeȝ, Ȝif any were so vilanous þat yow de-vaye wolde.
b. Having the character or disposition of a villain; infamously depraved or wicked; vilely criminal.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [adjective]
villain1340
villains1390
glutton1532
villainous1570
miscreantic1793
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked > villainous
villain1340
villains1390
glutton1532
villainous1570
miscreant1593
miscreantic1793
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Siiiv/2 Villanouse, flagitiosus.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus iv. f. 56v Not for to say, Venus is velanous: Bot that hir warkis may na les be vndone Nor of befoir, bot Vesta is mair Famous.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. v. 125 There is nothing but rogery to be found in villanous man. View more context for this quotation
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 475 The furious outrage of that most villanous Rebell Ket.
1623 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1622–3 (1908) 244 A ploott of that vealinous strompitt Nahar Malle.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 368 They are yet reckoned a Villanous sort of Breed.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 236 We have not half done yet, villanous Hell-hound Dogs.
1793 E. Inchbald Every one his Fault iii. ii I repeat, he is the vilest, the most villanous of men.
1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. iv. 83 I should think such a villanous, banditti-like army, was never before collected together.
1855 D. Brewster Mem. Life I. Newton (new ed.) II. xv. 56 The Elector of Hanover, whom the villanous English wished to deprive of the succession to the kingdom.
1869 D. Cook Nights at the Play (1883) I. 116 Mr. Cowper gave a..careful portraiture of the villanous Stukely.
c. Miserable, wretched. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > miserable or wretched
un-i-selieOE
drearyOE
unseelyOE
wretcha1122
usellc1175
unselea1200
wretcheda1200
misease?c1225
un-i-sele?c1250
wanlichec1275
miseasyc1300
wrackfulc1311
unblessed1340
wretchfula1382
wretchedful1382
caitiff1393
loddera1400
unhappena1400
pilledc1400
miserable?c1422
vengeablec1430
unhappyc1440
meschant?1473
miserousc1475
unselc1480
miser1542
forlorn1582
villainous1582
skybala1585
unblestful1608
despicable1635
haveless1868
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
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 24 Oh, quod he, what region shal shrowd mee villenus owtcast?
2.
a. Of actions: Of the nature of villainy; marked by depravity or vileness of conduct; deserving severe condemnation on moral grounds.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > [adjective] > action
villainous14..
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked > villainous > specifically of actions
villainous14..
14.. Chaucer's Legend Good Women (Fairf.) 1824 Allas of the thys was a vilenouse dede.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie V 50 A Vilanous and shamefull act.
1599 T. Dallam Diary in J. T. Bent Early Voy. Levant (1893) i. 84 He came but to speake with our Turke aboute their vilanus plott.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 111 Which Figment is still the more vile, if we consider..with what villainous and barbarous injuries it must necessarily be conceived to be accompanied.
1681 H. Hallywell Melampronoea 80 Such as..have incorporated themselves into the Dark Society by all manner of villanous and flagitious actions.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 28 If their brutish Rage led them to one villainous Action, they would soon go on to another.
1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. I. 137 One villainous action is sufficient to imbitter a man's whole life.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iv. 54 Their cold hearts blend Deceit with sternness, ignorance with pride, All that is mean and villanous.
1837 E. Bulwer-Lytton Ernest Maltravers III. ix. ii. 218 I have done a villanous thing, but I thought it only a clever one.
1846 W. Greener Sci. Gunnery (new ed.) 153 A villainous system of covering or plating barrels with fine iron, over a body of iron of the most inferior description.
b. Of looks, etc.: Indicative of villainy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [adjective] > of looks
villainous1828
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked > villainous > indicating villainy
villainous1828
1828 R. Southey Poet. Epist. to A. Cunningham I shall show thee, Allan,..an array of villainous visages.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xxix. 258 Isaac [had]..a very ill-favoured face, and a most sinister and villanous squint.
1841 G. Borrow Zincali I. ii. iv. 284 With an expression so extremely villanous, that I felt uneasy.
1863 G. J. Whyte-Melville Gladiators I. 143 A short, square, beetle-browed man, with a villanous leer.
3. Of words, etc.: Pertaining to or characteristic of a villain; vile, scurrilous; offensively opprobrious or profane.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [adjective] > ribald or scurrilous
foulOE
ribaldya1438
ribaldousc1440
villainous1470
ribald?a1500
ribaldious?1518
ribaldry1519
ribaldish?1533
rabulous1538
reprobriousa1539
ribaldrous1565
scurrile1567
profane1568
swearing1569
ribaldly1570
scurrilous1576
tarry1579
Fescennine verses1601
scogginly1620
ribaldrious1633
rotten in one's head1640
Billingsgate1652
promiscuous1753
blackguarding1789
blue1832
the mind > language > malediction > [adjective] > abusive
chidingc1175
invective1430
villainous1470
reproachful1531
reviling1534
oblatranta1538
vituperatory1586
vituperous1588
maledicent1599
vituperious1604
abuseful1612
virulent1631
camping1642
Thersitical1650
wording1682
vituperative1727
vituperatious1797
slangwhanging1809
sharp-tongued1837
vituperant1864
campling1881
Thersitean1908
α.
β. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxvi. 36/2 Whan the other commons sawe that, they began to sterre and sayde to the burgesses many euyll and vylanous wordes.1559 Certayne Serm. (1569) Agst. Contention ii. M viij b Pericles being prouoked to anger with many vilanous wordes, answered not a worde.1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. i. §4. 337 Princes doe rather pardon ill deedes, than villainous words.a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 261 One that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the Duke. View more context for this quotation1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. xxvii. 74 The most vylaynous and lewdest message that euer man herd sente vnto a kynge.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iv, in Wks. 261/2 Thus these wretched heretiques..lay more vilaynouse rebuke to the great maieste of god, than euer any one ribaude layd vnto a nother.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 602/2 Wee fynde not that he called hym false wretche, nor no suche vylaynous word.
1696 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) V. 238 A most villanous reviling booke against K. James.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. ix. viii. 161 My heart swelled with indignation at so villainous a calumny.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island i. i. 8 He..at last broke out with a villainous, low oath.
a. Shameful, atrocious, horrible. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > heinousness > [adjective]
awlyc1200
grievousa1300
grilla1300
uglya1300
strongc1300
outrageousa1325
heinousc1374
excessive1393
curseda1400
fella1400
misshapenc1400
rankc1400
monstruousc1425
enorm1481
prodigiousc1487
villainous1489
nefand1490
sceleratea1513
monstrous1531
funestal1538
enormious1545
facinorous1548
flagitious1550
dire1567
bonable1575
felonious1575
bomination1589
unvenial?1589
heathenish1592
enormous1593
villainous1598
nameless1611
pitchy1612
funest1636
funestous1641
scarleta1643
nefandous1649
aversable1663
atrocious1669
frightful1700
flagrant1706
atrocea1734
diabolical1750
unspeakable1831
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked
deepOE
blackOE
outrageousa1325
heinousc1374
flagitiousc1384
excessive1393
rankc1400
enorm1481
prodigiousc1487
villainous1489
terriblec1510
sceleratea1513
monstrous1531
enormious1545
facinorous1548
monstruous1562
felonious1575
enormous1593
facinoriousa1616
rounda1638
scarlet1710
facinerose1727
atrocious1772
outraging1895
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) xix. 106 As gud schyr Dauid off Brechyn..Was put to sa welanys [1487 St. John's Cambr. felloune; 1616 Hart villanous] a ded.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxx. 239 They are worthy to receyue a velaynous dethe.
1526 W. Bonde Rosary sig. Biiiiv Euer conspyring for thy grace, the most vyllanous & shamfull dethe of the crosse.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iv. vii. 106/2 To pyteouse and to abomynable were yt to reherse the vylanouse payne and tormentys that they deuysed on ye sely women.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 359 Prince Edward..was there put to death and in most shamefull and vilanous maner his braines dashed out.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > sentencing > [noun] > sentence > severe sentence
villainous judgement1607
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Yyy4v/2 Villenous iudgement..is that which casteth the reproch of villeny and shame vpon him against whom it is giuen, as a Conspiritour, &c.
1641 Rastell's Termes de la Ley (new ed.) f. 264 Villeinous judgment is..that the party found guilty shall lose the benefit of the law,..that his lands, goods & chattels shall be seised into the Kings hands,..and his trees digd up, and his body imprisoned.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. IV. 136 It now is the better opinion, that the villenous judgment is by long disuse become obsolete; it not having been pronounced for some ages.
5. † b. As adv. Villainously, vilely. Obsolete. rare.
a. Extremely bad or objectionable; atrocious, detestable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > heinousness > [adjective]
awlyc1200
grievousa1300
grilla1300
uglya1300
strongc1300
outrageousa1325
heinousc1374
excessive1393
curseda1400
fella1400
misshapenc1400
rankc1400
monstruousc1425
enorm1481
prodigiousc1487
villainous1489
nefand1490
sceleratea1513
monstrous1531
funestal1538
enormious1545
facinorous1548
flagitious1550
dire1567
bonable1575
felonious1575
bomination1589
unvenial?1589
heathenish1592
enormous1593
villainous1598
nameless1611
pitchy1612
funest1636
funestous1641
scarleta1643
nefandous1649
aversable1663
atrocious1669
frightful1700
flagrant1706
atrocea1734
diabolical1750
unspeakable1831
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. i. 15 I thinke this be the most villainous [printed villainons] house in al London roade for fleas. View more context for this quotation
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor iii. v. 85 There was a compound of the most Villanous smel, that euer offended nostrill.
1607 B. Barnes Divils Charter v. ii. K 4 Out vpon thee, thou hast poysoned mee with thy stinking breath or with thy villonous powders.
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. III. 123 Women are bound,..for the very interest of their beauty, to shunne a passion, that makes such villanous faces, and sets so many wrinkles upon their countenance.
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 5 The Press (that villanous Engine) invented much about the same time with the Reformation.
1706 J. Addison Rosamond i. ii Thou art ugly and old, And a villainous Scold.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. vi. 112 The only place..which by some villainous mischance, you did not see.
1821 W. Cobbett Rural Rides in Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 17 Nov. 1207 I passed through that villanous hole, Cricklade, about two hours ago.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xxvi. 214 This is the second I have killed with this villainous carbine.
1884 Christian World 25 Sept. 719/2 The weather was villainous. It rained every day.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > [adverb]
villainousa1616
stigmatically1622
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 248 We shall loose our time, And all be turn'd to Barnacles, or to Apes With foreheads villanous low. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > servility > [adjective] > specifically of actions or qualities
servile?1529
slavish1565
supple1566
villainous1607
over-awful1641
prone1645
uningenuous1660
flexible1826
serfish1879
cringy1880
prostrative1890
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > low rank or condition > [adjective]
leasteOE
wokec897
littleOE
lowc1175
eathlyc1200
smallc1275
simplec1300
meana1375
humblec1386
ignoble1447
servile1447
base1490
slighta1500
sober1533
silly1568
unresponsal1579
dunghilled1600
villainous1607
without name1611
woollena1616
dunghilly1616
unresponsible1629
under-stateda1661
low-down1865
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. I4/2, at Base Base tenents be they..which do to their lords villeinous service.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Yyy4v/2 This villanous soccage is to cary the Lords dung into his feilds, to plow his ground [etc.].
1645 J. Ussher Body of Divin. (1647) 143 The slavish and villanous estate of the parents is communicated unto all their off-spring.
1679 T. Blount Fragmenta Antiquitatis 155 (note) I suppose..by sanguinem suum emere, was meant, that the Tenant being a Bondman, should buy out his Villainous blood, and make himself a Freeman.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. 62 These were the only free holdings or tenements; the others were villenous or servile.
Compounds
villainous-looking adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > [adjective] > of disreputable appearance
diabolical1752
scarecrow1761
villainous-looking1777
diabolic1789
scarecrowy1862
scarecrowish1892
1777 J. Woodforde Diary 22 July (1924) I. 209 The Hangman was an old Man and a most villainous looking Fellow indeed.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain I. vii. 123 They were villainous looking ruffians.
1846 C. Dickens Pictures from Italy 163 Seeing nothing but..a villanous-looking shepherd.
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 271 I must admit my good friend was a villainous-looking savage.
Derivatives
ˈvillainousness n. (Bailey 1727, vol. II).
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.?a1366