1 definition found From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [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]
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