Vil"lain*y (?), n.; pl. Villainies (#). [OE. vilanie, OF. vilanie, vilainie, vileinie, vilanie, LL. villania. See Villain, n.] [Written also villany.] 1. The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous; extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness; as, the villainy of the seducer. "Lucre of vilanye." Chaucer.

The commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy.

2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk. [Archaic]

He never yet not vileinye ne said
In all his life, unto no manner wight.

In our modern language, it [foul language] is termed villainy, as being proper for rustic boors, or men of coarsest education and employment.

Villainy till a very late day expressed words foul and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than deeds.

3. The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime.

Such villainies roused Horace into wrath.

That execrable sum of all villainies commonly called a slave trade.

Vil"lain*y (?), n.; pl. Villainies (#). [OE. vilanie, OF. vilanie, vilainie, vileinie, vilanie, LL. villania. See Villain, n.] [Written also villany.] 1. The quality or state of being a villain, or villainous; extreme depravity; atrocious wickedness; as, the villainy of the seducer. "Lucre of vilanye." Chaucer.

The commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy.

2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk. [Archaic]

He never yet not vileinye ne said
In all his life, unto no manner wight.

In our modern language, it [foul language] is termed villainy, as being proper for rustic boors, or men of coarsest education and employment.

Villainy till a very late day expressed words foul and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than deeds.

3. The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime.

Such villainies roused Horace into wrath.

That execrable sum of all villainies commonly called a slave trade.

• evil or vicious character or behaviour
  
• a vicious or treacherous act