— blackguardism , n. — blackguardly , adv.
/blag"ahrd, -euhrd, blak"gahrd'/ , n.
1. a low, contemptible person; scoundrel.
2. Obs.
a. a group of menial workers in the kitchen of a large household.
b. the servants of an army.
c. camp followers.
v.t.
3. to revile in scurrilous language.
[ 1525-35; BLACK + GUARD; original sense obscure ]
Syn. 1. scamp, rascal, rapscallion, rogue, devil, villain. 3. berate, vilify.