villain

Meanings

• noun

  A person who commits reprehensible acts.

  - "The burglar was the villain in the crime."
  - "The villain in the story was eventually brought to justice."

• noun

  A character in a play, novel, movie, etc., who is hated or despised by the audience.

  - "The actor played the villain role brilliantly."
  - "The novel had a complex and intriguing villain."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈvɪlən/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2049255"

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Synonyms

bad guy , cad , knave , rascal , scamp

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with villain
vain , rain , chains , plains

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Variants

List of all variants of villain that leads to same result
villain , villains

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Old French 'vilain' meaning 'commoner, peasant'. Derived from the Latin 'vilis' meaning 'base, common, mean'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'villain' comes from the Old French word 'vilain', meaning 'commoner' or 'peasant'.

2. In Shakespearean plays, the villain often wore a black costume to distinguish them from the other characters.

3. The villain in the fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel' is the wicked witch who tries to eat the children.

4. The term 'villainous' means wicked or despicable, and comes from the same root as 'villain'.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Antagonist: An antagonist is a character who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something. While a villain is typically an antagonist, not all antagonists are villains. For example, in a romance novel, the main character's family may be the antagonists, but they are not villains.

2. Protagonist: The protagonist is the main character of a story. They are typically the hero or heroine, and their actions and experiences drive the plot. The villain is often the antagonist to the protagonist.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The villain is a common archetype in literature, art, and media. They often represent the opposite of the hero, and their actions and motivations drive the conflict of the story. The portrayal of villains has evolved over time, from simple one-dimensional caricatures to complex and nuanced characters.

How to Memorize "villain"

1. visualize
   

   - To visualize a villain, imagine a person with a sinister appearance, such as a mustache twirling as they plot their evil deeds. Consider their motivations and actions, and how they contrast with the hero. Visualize their interactions with other characters in the story.

2. associate
   

   - To memorize a villain, associate them with a distinctive physical trait, such as a scar or a unique voice. Create a mental image of their personality and actions, and remember how they contrast with the hero. Associate their name with their evil deeds or motives.

3. mnemonics
   

   - To memorize a villain using mnemonics, create a sentence or phrase that encapsulates their defining characteristics. For example, 'The Joker is a clown with a twisted smile and a deadly gun'.

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