| villain | 1. 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] "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) 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. 2. A baseborn or clownish person; a boor. "Pour the blood of the villain in one basin, and the blood of the gentleman in another, what difference shall there be proved?" (Becon) 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. "Like a villain with a smiling cheek." (Shak) "Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix." (Pope) Origin: OE. Vilein, F. Vilain, LL. Villanus, from villa a village, L. Villa a farm. See Villa. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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