Villain /(?)/

Vil·lain

Villain

n.
  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. (Feudal Law)
    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.
  2. A baseborn or clownish person; a boor. [R.]
    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.
    Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix.

Villain

a.
  1. Villainous. [R.]

Villain

v. t.
  1. To debase; to degrade. [Obs.]