See Also: villainous(dictionary)
villainous(dictionary)

villainous (iou)



villainous adjective. Also villanous. LME.
[Sense 1 from Old French vileneus; later senses from VILLAIN + -OUS.]
Churlish, boorish, rude. rare. Only in LME.
Having the character of a villain; indicative or of the nature of villainy; depraved, wicked; criminal. LME.
G. Borrow They were villainous-looking ruffians. Guardian A..villainous landlord who goes to extreme lengths to evict his..lodger.
Of words etc.: scurrilous, obscene, profane. L15.
R. L. Stevenson He..broke out with a villainous, low oath.
Shameful, horrible. E16-E17.
Extremely bad or objectionable; atrocious, detestable. Now colloq. L16.
Christian World The weather was villainous It rained every day.
Low in status or social position; servile. Cf. VILLEIN. E17-M18.
villainously adverb LME.
villainousness noun (rare) E18.