n. 1 a a group of houses and associated buildings, larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town, esp. in a rural area. b the inhabitants of a village regarded as a community. 2 Brit. a self-contained district or community within a town or city, regarded as having features characteristic of village life. 3 US a small municipality with limited corporate powers. 4 Austral. a select suburban shopping centre. villager n. villagey adj.
[ ME f. OF f. L villa ]