villainyn.
/ˈvɪləni/, U.S. /ˈvɪləni/ 1.
a. Action or conduct befitting, characteristic or typical of, a villain; evil or wrongdoing of a foul, infamous, or shameful nature; extreme wickedness on the part of a person in dealing with others.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > [noun]
woughc888
naughteOE
manOE
evilness1000
fakenOE
witherfulnessc1200
lithera1225
villainy?c1225
lithernessa1240
unwrastshipa1250
felonyc1290
shrewheadc1290
litherhead1297
illa1300
wicknessa1300
follyc1300
iniquity13..
shrewdom13..
wickhedec1305
shrewdheadc1315
shrewdnessc1315
unwrastnessc1315
wickednessa1340
malicea1382
unequityc1384
lewdnessa1387
mischiefa1387
wickedleka1400
wickedredea1400
badnessc1400
shrewdshipc1400
shrewnessc1425
ungoodlihead1430
wickdomc1440
rudenessc1451
mauvasty1474
unkindliness1488
noughtinessa1500
perversenessa1500
illnessc1500
filthiness?1504
noisomeness1506
naughtiness?1529
noughtihoodc1540
inexcellence1590
improbity1593
flagition1598
meschancy1609
scelerateness1613
pravity1620
meschantnessa1630
flagitiousness1692
flagitiosity1727
nefariousness1727
bale-fire1855
ill-conditionedness1866
iniquitousness1870
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > [noun]
villainy?c1225
felona1400
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [noun] > extreme wickedness
villainy?c1225
cursedhead1382
cursednessa1400
grievoustyc1410
enormityc1480
atrocity1534
malignitya1535
heinousness1563
enormousnessa1631
enormance1682
flagitiousness1692
flagrancy1714
atrociousness1731
outrageousness1869
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [noun] > baseness or moral vileness
vilety?c1225
villainy?c1225
vilehead1340
caitiftya1400
vilitya1425
ignoblenessc1450
ignobility?a1475
vileness1526
baseness1537
dunghillry1581
base-mindedness1582
vildness1597
beggarya1616
lowness1652
villainya1719
caddishness1868
bounderishness1899
α.
β. a1300 Cursor Mundi 2422 Bot godd hir [kept] þat was hir wit..þat moght naman o licherie Hir body neght wit wilanie.1396–7 in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1907) XXII. 297 We knowe wel þat euery lesyng opinli prechid turnith him to velanye þat euere was trewe and with oute defaute.c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 71 For iwysse hit arn so wykke þat in þat won dowellez, & her malys is so much I may not abide, Bot venge me on hir vilanye & venym bilyue.c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ii. 981 Tenelayus..mad hym cortasse welcummynge... Bot he did willany þar agayn: Þis Tenelayus he walde haf slayn.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.1538 T. Elyot Dict. Obscœnitas, villany in actes; rybauldrie.a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. i. 42 Thou little valiant, great in villanie, Thou euer strong vpon the stronger side. View more context for this quotationc1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) v. 1651 From thirst of wealth & golden villany I now am come to brutish gluttonie.1679 E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. (Camden) 199 He hath been twice pillor'd, and committed all manner of villaney.a1716 O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. x. 95 He will hardly ever be able to carry his Matters so cunningly, but that his Villany will at last be discover'd.1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. liv. 240 This may be logic at Cambridge..but among men of sense and honour, it is folly or villainy in the extreme.1841 G. P. R. James Brigand iii. 41 There is some mistake here, and I think some villany.1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 217 He had been induced, by the villany of Tyrconnel, to trust himself at Saint Germains.personif.?a1366 Romaunt Rose 166 Another image, that Vilanye Y-cleped was, saugh I... Vilanye was lyk somdel That other image [sc. Felony]; and..She semed a wikked creature.figurative and in extended use.a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. iii. 3 Nothing rowts vs, but The villany of our feares. View more context for this quotation1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 349 Ignorant of the deceits of men, and unused to the villany of powder.γ. c1315 Shoreham iii. 328 Ac ys [deadly sin] þat uoule wyl al so To swyche fylenye.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. vii. 433 Ich can nouht speke for shame The vylenye of my foule mouþe and of my foule mawe.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4405 Here may men se þe vileny þat he souȝte on his lady.a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 36 He and y hadd gret communicacion diuerse tymes, but it was neuer in no ueleni, nor in no euell thought nor in dede.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 37 In father his presence with spightful villenye cancred, Thee soon that murthrest, my sight with, boucherye stayning.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. vii. sig. Ee6v The gentle knight Would not be tempted to such villenie . View more context for this quotationδ. c1380 J. Wyclif Three Treat. in Wks. (1880) 204 To be aschamyd of eche euyl speche, & namely of lecherie & euyl contenaunce of synne & ribaudrie & vilonye.c1450 How Good Wijf (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 38 Kepe þee from synne, fro vilonye, & fro blame.1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. cij/1 Who wold haue thought that I shold haue had vylonye of Rolland?ε. 1605 1st Pt. Jeronimo sig. C3 O that villainy Should be found in the great chamber.1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature vi. 133 He may..endeavour to recover what has been by any kind of violence or villainy taken from him.1772 T. Pennant Tours Scotl. (1774) 10 Murdered by assassins who crossed the moat to perpetrate their villainy.1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci i. iii. 20 Manhood's purpose stern, And age's firm, cold, subtle villainy.1843 A. Bethune Sc. Peasant's Fire-side 107 Jenny and his other friends declaimed loudly upon the villainy of Mr. M‘Quiddit, in keeping him so long from his own.1861 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem III. cxlvi. 133 The same kind of villainy was meditated in China.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 160 Lecheurs þet habbeð swa for lore scheome. þet ham nis nawicht of scheame. ach secheð hu ha maȝe mest uileinie wurchen.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1329 Vor it is ech prince iwis & king vileinie To defouli is kniȝtes þoru wam he aþ þe maistrie.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 18 He is wel vileyn and ontrewe auoreye his lhord,..and yelt him kuead uor guod, and vileynye uor corteysye.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 863 Dos away your derf dyn & derez neuer my gestes, Avoy! hit is your vylaynye, ȝe vylen your seluen.
b. With a and plural, this, that, etc. An instance or case of this; a piece of wicked conduct or dealing; a vile act or deed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil action > [noun] > instance
ungooda1250
wickednessa1325
villainy1377
turpitude1597
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > [noun] > an evil deed
misdeedeOE
murderOE
harmOE
un-i-selthlOE
ungooda1250
wickednessa1325
illa1340
untetchea1375
villainy1377
wretchednessc1380
misdoingc1460
malefice1591
turpitude1597
meschantery1634
misactiona1667
naughtiness1789
wrongdoing1874
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 94 For þis foule vyleynye veniaunce to ȝow alle.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 133 Him thenkth it were a vilenie, Bot he rewarde him for his dede.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 634 Gawan watȝ for gode knawen & as golde pured, Voyded of vche vylany, wyth vertueȝ ennourned in mote.
1483 Cath. Angl. 400/1 A velany, dedicus.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6912 Vlixes..To venge of þat vilany vili dissirit.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 755 Requiryng them therefore to studie how to reuenge and punishe so great a villanie.
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iii. sig. G Bought you a whistle and a whipstalke too: To be reuenged on their villanies.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe (1903) v. v. 482 Though indeede they take it rather for a grace to be reputed actiue in any Villany, espetially Cruelty and theft.
1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra ii. i. 187 Other Errours there are, that lead to beastly, and unnatural Villanies.
1691 J. Hartcliffe Treat. Virtues 53 Under pretence thereof Wars might be raised, Robberies and all manner of Villanies committed.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 44 If they are honest Men and would not appear in this Villany.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xiv. 98 The greatest Villanies are daily practised to please thee. View more context for this quotation
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 152 He was determined to keep his place, if it could be kept by any villany but one.
1860 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem (1861) III. cxxviii. 86 But such is what the poor have to expect, when they assist in the villainies of the rich.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. 411 Æthelred, if he had not ordered this villany, at any rate made himself an accessory after the fact.
a. Treatment of a degrading or shameful nature as suffered or received by a person; ill-usage, injury, indignity, insult. Obsolete.Not always clearly distinct from sense 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > [noun]
mishandlinga1393
deraya1400
villainya1400
outraya1425
mistreating1453
mispersoning1522
misentreating1531
misusing1548
misusage1555
misuse1591
abuse1595
hard measure1611
ill usage1621
evil-usage1645
ill-treatment1667
maltreatment1702
mistreatment1716
punishment1811
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > insult > [noun]
despite1297
conteckc1380
reproofa1382
contumelyc1386
villainya1400
cagment1504
injury?1518
mispersoning1522
opprobry1569
disgrace1592
baffling1602
affronting1611
insultance?1615
confronta1626
abusiveness1633
confrontmentc1635
baffle1647
insultancy1655
contumeliousness1657
disobliging1692
affrontingness1730
insultation1755
insulting1837
ranking1954
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 2500 Þer dude Alisaunder curteisie; He kepte hem from vche vilenye, Darries moder, & darries wijf.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17150 Befor mi moder eien..Sufferd i al þis wilani [Gött. velani].
c1440 York Myst. xxii. 70 And gladly suffir I for thy sake swilk velany.
c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 548 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 23 He..mad gret playnt of þe schame, of þe vilne, and of þe blame, þat lytil befor tholit he.
1567 Triall of Treasure sig. Ciiiv Ye, ye they haue vsed me with to much vilanie.
1577 R. Stanyhurst Hist. Irelande iii. 78/1 in R. Holinshed Chron. I Kildare pursuing Ormond to the Chapiter house dore, vndertooke on hys honor, that hee should receyue no villanie.
1590 R. Greene tr. O. Rinaldi Royal Exchange sig. Di To see villanie offered him, and to holde his peace.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > ill-treat [verb (transitive)]
tuckc888
tawc893
misbedeOE
graithc1330
to fare fair or foul with1340
misusea1382
outrayc1390
beshrewc1430
huspelc1440
misentreat1450
mistreat1453
abuse?1473
to mayne evil1481
demean1483
to put (a person) to villainya1513
harry1530
mishandle1530
touse1531
misorder1550
worrya1556
yark1565
mumble1588
buse1589
crow-tread1593
disabuse1607
maltreat1681
squeeze1691
ill-treat1794
punish1801
tousle1826
ill-use1841
razoo1890
mess1896
to play horse with1896
to bugger about1921
slug1925
to give (a person) the works1927
to kick about or around1938
mess1963
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > insult > [verb (transitive)]
heanc950
to say or speak (one) shamec950
to say or speak shame of, on, byc950
affrontc1330
dispersona1400
to say language against1423
insautc1425
contumely1483
cag1504
to put (a person) to villainya1513
fuffle1536
to bring, drive to scorn1569
ascorn1570
affrent1578
injure?a1600
insult1620
to put a scorn on, upon1633
upbraid1665
topa1700
chopse1854
burn1914
rank1934
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) ii. i. sig. m.iiii Wyddowes and wyues were put to vilany Maydens were corrupt, and slayne chamfully.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Mark ix. 62 Syth menne shoulde se hym [sc. Jesus] sone after putte to so muche shame and villany.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Conculco,..to treade vnder foote: to put to extreme vilanie.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [noun] > of degrading nature
villainya1475
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 56 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 300 Yf þou make mawes on any wyse, A velany þou kacches or euer þou rise.
a. Disgrace, dishonour; ignominy; discredit. Obsolete (frequently c1400–1500).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > disgrace or dishonour > [noun]
unworshipc888
bismerc893
shameOE
shondOE
shendnessc1000
shendinga1220
shendlaca1225
slander1297
brixlea1300
shendship1303
hounteec1330
dishonourc1380
reproofc1380
defamationa1387
dishonestyc1386
hountagec1390
defamea1393
disworshipa1400
mishonoura1400
villainya1400
shendc1400
rebukec1425
contemptc1430
reproach?a1439
reprobationa1450
disfamec1460
opprobry?a1475
lackc1480
shentc1480
vitupery1489
defamy1490
opprobre1490
dain?a1500
contemnment1502
ignominy?1527
scandalization1530
ignomy1534
contumely1555
disglory1567
dehonestationa1575
disgrace1592
attainder1597
disreputation1601
defaming1611
ignominiousness1655
adoxy1656
opprobrium1684
shonda1961
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 803 (MED) Þai clad ham þan for velane wiþ brade leues of fyge tree.
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 2384 Y þe mekely prey..to correcty hit so þat y naue no vyleny þere-by.
1436 in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Var. Coll. (1907) IV. 199 in Parl. Papers 1906 (Cd. 3218) LXIV. 1 To caste this land oute of alle reputacion into perpetual reprofe, vylonye and shame thorwgh the wordil.
a1470 J. Hardyng Chron. vii. clxxxi The kyng Edwarde had all the victorye, The kyng Philyp had all the vilanye.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 545 Schir amery..Raid till yngland, and purchast ther Of armyt men gret cumpany, To venge hym of the velany [1489 Adv. welany].
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) viii. 20 It shalbe greatly to your veleny and reproche yf I be thus slayne by you.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) xii. sig. Biv Dame Luke..knew wel yt her doughter, Perron was no mayde, therfore she doubted greatly to haue vylonye.
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare xiv. 500 Thei thought great vilanie in that kinde of Deathe.
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 327 For this cause there is in Shame not onely a feare of villanie, but indignation also, after the committing of some fault.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > [noun] > source of discredit or discrediting circumstance
villainyc1340
slander1390
ill1414
reproachc1450
opprobry1534
dispraise1535
slanderer1558
obloquy1589
disreputation1609
reflection1622
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 27 It es a velany a man for to be curyously arrayede apone his heuede..and all his body be nakede and bare as it ware a beggere.
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 1231 But she hym holpe his harme to aswage; Hir thought it elles a vylanye.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 533/173 Ȝif þat þou chyde þi soget, Hit is to þe vileynye gret.
1467 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 335 If I were there wyth-ought I had the more saddere or wurchepfull persones abought me,..it shuld be to me but a vylney.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iii. viii. 108 Ye haue doone a passynge fowle dede in the sleyinge of the lady, the whiche will be grete vylany vnto yow.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lv. 185 It shal be to you grete velany [1601 dishonour].
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > [noun] > source of discredit or discrediting circumstance > person or thing causing discredit
villainya1382
reproof?c1436
reproach1581
stain1589
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xxiii. 31 He shal ben vileny to alle; forthi that he vnderstod not the drede of the Lord.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Gal. vi. f. xxiv The Gentiles..coumpte his crosse for a vilanie and reproche.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > ill-treat [verb (intransitive)]
tucka1250
to do villainy or a villainy1303
abuse1978
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > disgrace or dishonour > [verb (transitive)]
to say or speak (one) shamec950
to bring, make to shondOE
awemOE
shamec1175
unmenskc1225
to bring, shape, turn to shamea1250
to do villainy or a villainy1303
to bring, drive to scornc1320
honisha1325
dishonesta1382
unhonourc1384
defamea1387
slandera1387
disworshipa1450
vituper1484
disfamea1533
to shend ofc1540
defect1542
dishonour1568
disgrace1573
escandalize1574
mishonour1576
yshend1579
scandalize1583
traduce1605
beclown1609
dedecorate1609
disdignify1625
vilify1651
lynch1836
α.
β. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16306 Pilate said and badd þai ne suld do him na vilani.c1450 Mirk's Festial 106 By helpe of þe fende, he made hym lyke an angyll, and come to dyuers maydyns,..and soo lay by hom, and dude hom gret vylany.1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ciii. 52 b The kyng Osbright me hath done shame & vilanye ayens my wyll.1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUii [They] spared nat to do al the vilany and shame to the son of god, that they coude deuise.1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 121 Pay her the debt you owe her, and vnpay the villany you haue done with her. View more context for this quotationa1683 A. Sidney Disc. Govt. (1704) i. i. 8 A third sort of Men who would neither do Villanys, nor suffer more than the Laws did permit.γ. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Philomene. 2333 This false thef Hath don this lady ȝit a more myschef For fere lyst she shulde his shame crye And don hym opynly a vilenye.1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 136 In that he dothe to god ouer-grete veleny.δ. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2254 He wende wiþ is ferete [to] haue do þe vylonye.a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 389 Atthalus hadde despitousliche i-scorned þis Pausania, and i-doo hym grete vilonye.c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 100 Ther in thei doon foul vilonie to Cristis lawe of feith.1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. i. 20 Thanswer of a noble & debonair prynce That suffred that villonye don to his doughter.1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 6516 The syxte synne ys glotonye; þat ys a shameful vyleynye þat men doun of mete and drynk.
a1330 Otuel 358 King charles..was hende & good, & nolde for his wordes heȝe Don otuel no vileinie.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 287 Þei..don hym more dispite and vileyne þan diden Judas Scarioth and Jewis.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 20340 Þerfore þeron haue þou þi þouȝt..Þat þei me do no vilayne.
a. to say or speak (a, no, etc.) villainy, to speak evil, to use wicked, low, obscene, or opprobrious language. Obsolete.After Old French dire vilonie (Du Cange at Villania).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (intransitive)] > abuse, scold, or wrangle
chidec1175
to say or speak (a, no, etc.) villainy1303
scold1377
revilea1460
raila1470
fare1603
extirp1605
camp1606
callet1620
oblatrate1623
cample1628
objurgate1642
reprobate1698
slang1828
vituperate1856
to shoot one's mouth off1864
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1549 A nunne..Þat ȝede to helle for no þyng ellys But for she spake euer vyleyny.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7832 For qua lais hand in feloni O king, or sais him vilani,..wit-vten grith, He dei.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 70 Ne neuere yet no vileynye ne sayde In al his lyf vn to no manere wight.
1419 in S. Bentley Excerpta Historica (1831) 38 That no man saye no vilony to non other, throughe the whiche vilony saynge, may falle sodenly man slaughter, or risinge of people.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. i. 20 This prince had also a frende that..sayd on a tyme as moche villonye unto the prynce as ony man miht saye.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 424/1 She..said many Iniuryes & vylonyes to fyacre contumeleyng & blasphemyng hym.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxxii. 6 The vile person wil speake villenie, and his heart will worke iniquitie. View more context for this quotation
b. to speak villainy of: to defame or throw discredit on (a person). Obsolete.
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
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. xix. 832 Alle the world wylle speke of yow vylony.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 285 Do not a thing that should blemishe your renowne, neither geue occasion for any to speake vilanie of you.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades v. 83 Al men of vs great villany would say.
c. words of villainy n. Obsolete
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [noun] > profane language
swarec1200
shit-wordc1275
words of villainya1300
filtha1400
reveriec1425
bawdry1589
scurrility1589
bawdy1622
tongue-worm1645
borborology1647
Billingsgatry1673
double entendre1673
smut1698
blackguardism1756
slang1805
epithet1818
dirty word1842
French1845
language1855
bad languagec1863
bestiality1879
swear-word1883
damson-tart1887
comminative1888
double entente1895
curse-word1897
bang-words1906
soldier's farewell1909
strong languagea1910
dirty story1912
dirty joke1913
bullocky1916
shitticism1936
Anglo-Saxonism1944
sweary1994
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28531 I ha bene wont thoru lucheri Wordes to spek of vilany.
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋22 If..he be a talkere of ydil wordes of vanite or of vilonye.
1568 Bk. Nurture To Parents Take heede they speake no wordes of vilany.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > [noun] > unmannerliness > unrefined manners or behaviour
villainyc1340
churlhood1382
rudenessc1405
boistousness1526
uplandishness1530
rusticity1531
coarseness1541
loutishnessa1556
grossness1563
boorishness1570
rusticality1572
clownishness1576
bouerie1577
roughness1581
clownery1589
swinishness1591
peasantryc1592
inurbanity1598
community1600
rusticalnessa1603
clownagea1637
wildness1639
vulgarness1642
unpolishedness1652
brutism1687
mismanners1697
unpoliteness1700
brutality1709
mechanicism1710
indelicacy1712
untameness1727
vulgarism1749
vulgaritya1774
shag1785
piggishness1796
cubbishness1828
sylvanity1832
rusticness1838
plebeianness1840
swainishness1854
baboonery1857
yahooism1862
slanginess1865
bucolicism1879
vulgarianism1920
outbackery1961
yobbishness1969
ockerism1974
blokeishness1989
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1528 For þat somtyme men held velany Now yhung men haldes curtasy; And þat som tyme was curtasy cald, Now wille yhong men velany hald.
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 590 Inurbanitas, vylonye.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 740 Crist spak hym self ful brode in holy writ And wel ye woot no vileynye is it.
1480 Table Prouffytable Lernynge (Caxton) (1964) 27 For I reffuse not The cuppe That were vylonye [Fr. villonnie].
c1480 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. I. 45 Syr erle, he seyd, take and begyn; He seyd: nay, be seynt Austyn, That was to me vylony.
a. The condition or state of a villein; bondage, servitude; hence, base or ignoble condition of life; moral degradation. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > ignobleness or baseness > [noun]
villainyc1386
simplessea1393
littlenessa1400
unnoblenessc1400
unnobilitya1425
unnobletya1425
ignoblenessc1450
ignobility?a1475
vileness1549
vilityc1550
haskardy?1578
dunghillry1581
indignity1589
beggarya1616
ignoblesse?1616
poorness1625
lowness1652
meanness1660
society > authority > subjection > service > feudal service > serfdom > [noun]
churldomc1386
villainyc1386
bondshipc1440
servage1523
villeinage1531
culvertage1613
serfage1816
serfship1830
serfdom1850
unfreedom1884
society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > [noun]
degeneration?1481
declining1526
declination1533
depravation1561
villainy1564
declension1597
depravedness1623
decadency1632
degenerateness1640
depravity1643
depravement1645
degradation1663
degeneracy1664
degenerousness1678
marasmus1681
debasednessa1720
decadencea1734
demoralization1797
downgrade1857
decadentism1949
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋9 Certes wel aughte a man haue disdeyne of synne, and wiþdrawe him fro þat þraldom and vilenye.
1564 T. Becon New Catech. in Wks. 415 b These, these goo about to bring vs vnto vilany.
a1569 M. Coverdale Fruitful Lessons (1593) sig. R4 Iesus..tooke vpon himselfe the most extreme shame..to deliuer vs from eternall villainy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > wretchedness > [noun]
uselldomc1175
yomernessc1250
caitifty1340
miseryc1375
deploration1490
caitifdoma1500
villainya1571
deplorableness1649
sorriness1668
squalor1860
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > tribulation, trouble, or affliction > state of misery
wretchhead1154
uselldomc1175
wretchdom?c1225
yomernessc1250
wan-siðc1275
werea1300
wretchedheada1300
cursedness1303
wrechea1325
wretchnessa1330
wretchednessa1340
caitifty1340
miseryc1375
caitifhedea1400
languora1400
caitifnessc1400
deploration1490
caitifdoma1500
pitya1500
unkindness1502
woefulnessa1513
miserability1559
villainya1571
ungraciousness1578
miserableness1613
deplorableness1649
misère1791
dismals1829
unblessedness1836
a1571 J. Jewel Viewe Seditious Bul (1582) 47 Haue not they spoiled & wasted those two noble Cuntries & brought them to such vilanie & miserie, as they neuer felt before?
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > imperfection > [noun] > an imperfection > defect or fault or flaw
faultc1320
breckc1369
villainyc1400
offencec1425
defectc1450
defection1526
vitiosity1538
faintness1543
gall1545
eelist1549
mar1551
hole1553
blemish1555
wart1603
flaw1604
mulct1632
wound1646
failurea1656
misfeature1818
bug1875
out1886
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) ii. lviii. 56 The bones stoden vp, as men, in the same persones, ryght as they were byfore, withouten ony spot or vylonye.
9. Base, villainous, or wicked quality.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [noun] > baseness or moral vileness
vilety?c1225
villainy?c1225
vilehead1340
caitiftya1400
vilitya1425
ignoblenessc1450
ignobility?a1475
vileness1526
baseness1537
dunghillry1581
base-mindedness1582
vildness1597
beggarya1616
lowness1652
villainya1719
caddishness1868
bounderishness1899
a1719 J. Addison Dialogues Medals in Wks. (1721) I. ii. 496 Ingratitude..can arise from nothing but a natural baseness and villany of soul.
Derivatives
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
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 113/3 For as moche as they haue dyspyted and vylonyed the blood of Jhesu.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.?c1225- slate-knife
- slate-land
- slate-like
- slate-maker
- slate-merchant
- slate-mine
- slate-nail
- slate-peg
- slate-picker
- slate-pin
- slate-pit
- slate-pointed
- slate-quarry
- slate-rock
- slate-roofed
- slate-saw
- slate-shivers
- slate-spar
- slate-spired
- slate-stone
- slate-stratum
- slate-strewn
- slate-system
- slate-thatcher
- slate-works