/ ˈvɪlən; NAmE / noun
1.
the main bad character in a story, play, etc. :
He often plays the part of the villain.
2.
a person who is morally bad or responsible for causing trouble or harm :
the heroes and villains of the 20th century
Industrialized nations are the real environmental villains.
3.
( BrE , informal ) a criminal
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IDIOMS
- the villain of the piece
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense a rustic, boor ): from Old French vilein , based on Latin villa .