villainy

[ vil-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural vil·lain·ies.

1. the actions or conduct of a villain; outrageous wickedness.
2. a villainous act or deed.
3. Obsolete. villeinage.

villainy

/ ˈvɪlənɪ /

noun

1. conduct befitting a villain; vicious behaviour or action
2. an evil, abhorrent, or criminal act or deed
3. the fact or condition of being villainous
4. See villeinage
   English history a rare word for villeinage

Word History and Origins

Origin of villainy¹

1175–1225; Middle English vile ( i ) nie, vilainie < Old French. See villain, -y ³

Example Sentences

Satisfaction does not insist on setting up clear categories of heroism and villainy, good, and evil.

From The Daily Beast

And anyone, real or made up, who uses the phrase “low villainy” in a sentence—that man is my hero.

From The Daily Beast

The picture he paints, though, is one more of failed good intentions then of imperialistic villainy.

From The Daily Beast

Its portrayal of Soviet villainy was deemed too much for domestic consumption.

From The Daily Beast

How much more diverting to focus on the villainy of a potty-mouthed Illinois pol.

From The Daily Beast

The fact that no thorough scoundrel ever yet confined himself to one or two pieces of villainy.

From Project Gutenberg

If underneath his villainy there are concealed the instincts of a gentleman, let him have the chance of dying like one.

From Project Gutenberg

And we, the descendants of the conquerors; we knights tolerate such villainy!

From Project Gutenberg

He has been described erroneously as a master of complicated villainy.

From Project Gutenberg

That a due rigour and restraint be laid upon the second, that villainy and knavery might not be encouraged by a law.

From Project Gutenberg