villain Meaning, Definition & Usage

OE. vilein, F. vilain, LL. villanus, from villa a village, L. villa a farm. See Villa.

(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.
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 glebæ); and villains in gross, that is, annexed to the person of their lord, and transferable from one to another. Blackstone.
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.
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.