Vĭl'lain1, n.
(42), n. [O. Fr. villain, vilain, vilein, N. Fr. vilain, Pr. vilin, vila, Sp. & It. villano, Pg. villão, L. Lat. villanus, from villa, a village, from Lat. villa, a farm.] [In the first sense written also villan, villein.]
Sense 1. (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.
If any of my ancestors 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. Bp. Taylor.
☞ Villains were of two sorts: villains regardant, that is, annexed to the manor, adscriptitii glebae; or villains in gross, that is, annexed to the person of their lord, and transferable from one to another. Blackstone.
Sense 2. Hence, a clownish person; a boor. [Rare.]
Pour the blood of the villain in one basin, and the blood of the gentleman in another, what difference shall here be proved? Bacon.
Sense 3. A vile, wicked person; a man extremely depraved, and capable or guilty of great crimes; a deliberate scoundrel; a self-conscious knave; a designing rascal. “A villain with a smiling cheek.” Shak. “Calm, thinking villains, whom no faith could fix.” Pope.