vile+wretch

  • 1Wretch — Wretch, n. [OE. wrecche, AS. wrecca, wr[ae]cca, an exile, a wretch, fr. wrecan to drive out, punish; properly, an exile, one driven out, akin to AS. wr[ae]c an exile, OS. wrekkio a stranger, OHG. reccheo an exile. See {Wreak}, v. t.] [1913… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2wretch — (n.) O.E. wrecca wretch, stranger, exile, from P.Gmc. *wrakjan (Cf. O.S. wrekkio, O.H.G. reckeo a banished person, exile, Ger. recke renowned warrior, hero ), related to O.E. wreccan to drive out, punish (see WREAK (Cf. wreak)). Sense of vile,… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 3wretch —    This word is now rather old fashioned, but it came easily to speakers in former times who wished to abuse someone. It was in regular use from the fourteenth to the nineteenth century, with the meaning of ‘vile person’, and was either insulting …

    A dictionary of epithets and terms of address

  • 4wretch — noun Etymology: Middle English wrecche, from Old English wrecca outcast, exile; akin to Old High German hrechjo fugitive, Old English wrecan to drive, drive out more at wreak Date: before 12th century 1. a miserable person ; one who is profoundly …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 5reprobate — I. a. Depraved, abandoned, profligate, corrupt, hardened, lost, graceless, base, shameless, wicked, vile, vitiated, irredeemable, castaway. II. n. Villain, castaway, outcast, miscreant, caitiff, vile wretch. III. v. a. 1. Disapprove, reject,… …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 6Miscreant — Mis cre*ant, n. [OF. mescreant, F. m[ e]cr[ e]ant; pref. mes (L. minus less) + p. pr. fr. L. credere to believe. See {Creed}.] [1913 Webster] 1. One who holds a false religious faith; a misbeliever. [Obs.] Spenser. De Quincey. [1913 Webster] Thou …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 7niding — noun A derogatory term, a vile wretch, used in Heathenry …

    Wiktionary

  • 8miscreant — n. Villain, scoundrel, knave, rascal, rogue, scamp, vile wretch, caitiff …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 9villain — n. [Written also Villan.] Rascal, knave, scoundrel, rogue, scamp, reprobate, scapegrace, miscreant, caitiff, vile wretch …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 10scoundrel — I. n. Knave, rogue, villain, rascal, scamp, cheat, trickster, swindler, sharper, caitiff, vile wretch, miscreant, reprobate. II. a. Base, mean, unprincipled, disgraceful, low …

    New dictionary of synonyms