Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Villainy
Vil′lain-y
,Noun.
pl.
Villainies
(#)
. [Written also
villany
.] 1.
The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous; extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness;
“Lucre of vilanye.” as, the
. villainy
of the seducerChaucer.
The commendation is not in his wit, but in his
villainy
. Shakespeare
2.
Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk.
[Archaic]
He never yet not
In all his life, unto no manner wight.
vileinye
ne saidIn all his life, unto no manner wight.
Chaucer.
In our modern language, it [foul language] is termed
villainy
, as being proper for rustic boors, or men of coarsest education and employment. Barrow.
Villainy
till a very late day expressed words foul and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than deeds. Trench.
3.
The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime.
Such
villainies
roused Horace into wrath. Dryden.
That execrable sum of all
villainies
commonly called a slave trade. John Wesley.
Webster 1828 Edition
Villainy
VIL'LAINY
,Noun.
1.
Extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness; as the villany of the thief or the robber; the villany of the seducer.The commendation is not in his wit, but in his villany.
2.
A crime; an action of deep depravity. In this sense, the word has a plural.Such villanies roused Horace into wrath.
Definition 2025
villainy
villainy
English
Noun
villainy (plural villainies)
- Evil or vicious character or behaviour.
- A vicious or treacherous act.
Synonyms
- See Wikisaurus:villainy