villainy

[vil-uh-nee]

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noun, plural vil·lain·ies.

the actions or conduct of a villain; outrageous wickedness.

a villainous act or deed.

Obsolete. villeinage.

Nearby words

Origin of villainy

1175–1225; Middle English vile(i)nie, vilainie < Old French. See villain, -y³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for villainy

Satisfaction does not insist on setting up clear categories of heroism and villainy, good, and evil.
Is ‘Satisfaction’ a Love Story That’s Too Real About Sex and Marriage?|David Masciotra|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Its portrayal of Soviet villainy was deemed too much for domestic consumption.
The Kremlin's Amazing PR Turnaround|Michael Idov|June 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST
How much more diverting to focus on the villainy of a potty-mouthed Illinois pol.
Six Reasons to Thank Blago|Christopher Buckley|December 12, 2008|DAILY BEAST
I suspected some villainy, however, and my first idea was that they had set the barque on fire.
A Pirate of the Caribbees|Harry Collingwood

But Cecilia could not endure to see him, after a discovery of such hypocrisy and villainy.
Cecilia, Volume 3 (of 3)|Frances (Fanny) Burney (Madame d'Arblay)
In the body text, variable spellings such as villany : villainy and intire : entire are unchanged.
Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela (1754)|Anonymous
Reprobate as he was himself, this work of villainy was new to him and seemed to be very terrible.
The Way We Live Now|Anthony Trollope
And now the conduct which honor would approve turned upon them to bring the consequences of treason and villainy.
Talents, Incorporated|William Fitzgerald Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for villainy

villainy

noun plural -lainies

conduct befitting a villain; vicious behaviour or action

an evil, abhorrent, or criminal act or deed

the fact or condition of being villainous

English history a rare word for villeinage

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for villainy