villain

Definition

A vile, wicked person.

Etymology

Probably from Middle English vilein, from Old French vilein (modern French vilain), in turn from Late Latin vīllānus, meaning serf or peasant, someone who is bound to the soil of a Latin vīlla, which is to say, worked on the equivalent of a plantation in late Antiquity, in Italy or Gaul. Doublet of villein.

Example Sentences

• "Oh moſt pernicious woman! / Oh Villaine, Villaine, ſmiling damned Villaine!"
• "Thou ly’ſt thou ſhagge-ear’d Villaine."
• "Note the preſumption of this Scythian ſlaue: I tel thee villaine, thoſe that lead my horſe Haue to their names tytles of dignitie, And dar’ſt thou bluntly cal me Baiazeth?"

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