Villan

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Villain \Vil"lain\, n. [OE. vilein, F. vilain, LL. villanus,
     from villa a village, L. villa a farm. See {Villa}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Feudal Law) One who holds lands by a base, or servile,
        tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest
        class, a bondman or servant. [In this sense written also


        {villan}, and {villein}.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              If any of my ansectors was a tenant, and a servant,
              and held his lands as a villain to his lord, his
              posterity also must do so, though accidentally they
              become noble.                         --Jer. Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Villains were of two sorts; villains regardant, that
           is, annexed to the manor (LL. adscripti glebae); and
           villains in gross, that is, annexed to the person of
           their lord, and transferable from one to another.
           --Blackstone.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A baseborn or clownish person; a boor. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Pour the blood of the villain in one basin, and the
              blood of the gentleman in another, what difference
              shall there be proved?                --Becon.
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     3. A vile, wicked person; a man extremely depraved, and
        capable or guilty of great crimes; a deliberate scoundrel;
        a knave; a rascal; a scamp.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Like a villain with a smiling cheek.  --Shak.
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              Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix.
                                                    --Pope.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Villan \Vil"lan\, n.
     A villain. [R.]
     [1913 Webster]