DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Vil·lain·y n.; pl.  Villainies   [Written also villany.]
 1. The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous; extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness; as, the villainy of the seducer.  “Lucre of vilanye.”
    The commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy.   --Shak.
 2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk.  [Archaic]
 He never yet not vileinye ne said
 In 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.
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 Vil·lan·y n. See Villainy.
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