'Villainies' definitions:

Definition of 'Villainies'

From: GCIDE
  • Villainy \Vil"lain*y\, n.; pl. Villainies. [OE. vilanie, OF. vilanie, vilainie, vileinie, vilanie, LL. villania. See Villain, n.] [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." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • The commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]
  • He never yet not vileinye ne said In all his life, unto no manner wight. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • In our modern language, it [foul language] is termed villainy, as being proper for rustic boors, or men of coarsest education and employment. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]
  • Villainy till a very late day expressed words foul and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than deeds. --Trench. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime. [1913 Webster]
  • Such villainies roused Horace into wrath. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • That execrable sum of all villainies commonly called a slave trade. --John Wesley. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Villainies'