WordofTheDay.US

scoundrel

/ˈskaʊ̯ndɹəl/ noun

In Latin: furcifer, furcifera, verberō Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about scoundrel at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A mean, worthless fellow; a rascal; a villain; a person without honor or virtue.

Origin

From earlier scondrel, scondrell, skoundrell, skowndrell, of unknown origin. Possibly related to northern English or Scottish scunner, skuner, scouner, scunder (“to shrink back in fear, disgust, or loathing”) (Encyclopædia Britannica 1911).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)