[ARCH- 2; cf. med.L. archivillānus.] Chief villain, begetter or ringleader of villainy. Hence Arch-villainy.

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1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 57. Euen so may Angelo … Be an arch-villaine.

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1623.  Massinger, Dk. Milan. Thou art a villain! All attributes of archvillains made into one, Cannot express thee.

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a. 1625.  Fletcher, Woman’s Prize, III. iv. All their arch-villanies, and all their doubles.

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1814.  Southey, Roderick, VIII. Wks. IX. 75. Then did the Arch-villain urge the Moor at once To cut off future peril.

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