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. Shak.
2. Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk.
He never yet not vileinye ne said
In all his life, unto no manner wight. Chaucer.
In our modern language, it is termed villainy, as being proper for rustic boors, or men of coarsest education and employment. Barrow.
Villainy till a very late day expressed words foul and disgraceful to the utterer much oftener than deeds. Trench.
3. The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime.
Such villainies roused Horace into wrath. Dryden.
That execrable sum of all villainies commonly called a slave trade. John Wesley.