villainy

[ vil-uh-nee ]

/ ˈvɪl ə ni /

the actions or conduct of a villain; outrageous wickedness.

a villainous act or deed.

Obsolete. villeinage.

Origin of villainy

1175–1225; Middle English vile(i)nie, vilainie < Old French. See villain, -y³

Satisfaction does not insist on setting up clear categories of heroism and villainy, good, and evil.

Is ‘Satisfaction’ a Love Story That’s Too Real About Sex and Marriage? |David Masciotra |September 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Its portrayal of Soviet villainy was deemed too much for domestic consumption.

The Kremlin's Amazing PR Turnaround |Michael Idov |June 8, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
How much more diverting to focus on the villainy of a potty-mouthed Illinois pol.

Six Reasons to Thank Blago |Christopher Buckley |December 12, 2008 |DAILY BEAST
I suspected some villainy, however, and my first idea was that they had set the barque on fire.

A Pirate of the Caribbees |Harry Collingwood

But Cecilia could not endure to see him, after a discovery of such hypocrisy and villainy.

Cecilia, Volume 3 (of 3) |Frances (Fanny) Burney (Madame d'Arblay)
In the body text, variable spellings such as villany : villainy and intire : entire are unchanged.

Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela (1754) |Anonymous
Reprobate as he was himself, this work of villainy was new to him and seemed to be very terrible.

The Way We Live Now |Anthony Trollope
And now the conduct which honor would approve turned upon them to bring the consequences of treason and villainy.

Talents, Incorporated |William Fitzgerald Jenkins

villainy

/ (ˈvɪlənɪ) /

conduct befitting a villain; vicious behaviour or action

an evil, abhorrent, or criminal act or deed

the fact or condition of being villainous

English history a rare word for villeinage