Villain

vil′ān, or vil′in, n. a wicked wretch: a man extremely degraded: in feudal times, a member of the lowest cla of unfree persons.— ns. Vill′aināge , Vill′anāge , Vill′eināge , Vill′enāge , in feudal times, the tenure of land by villein, i.e. base or menial services.— adj. Vill′ainous , like or suited to a villain: depraved: proceeding from extreme depravity: very bad, mean, vile.— adv. Vill′ainously .— ns. Vill′a i no us ne ; Vill′ainy , the act of a villain: extreme depravity: an atrocious crime. [Orig. 'a serf attached to a farm,' O. Fr. villain —Low L. villan us —L. villa .]