Vile

/vaɪl/ adjective

Definition

Extremely unpleasant, morally bad, or disgusting; something you really hate or find awful.

Etymology

From Latin 'vilis' meaning 'cheap' or 'worthless,' which evolved to mean 'morally base' in Old French before entering English. The meaning shifted from worthless to actively repulsive.

Kelly Says

The Romans used 'vilis' for cheap goods in the marketplace, but as it traveled through languages, it accumulated moral judgment—by the time it reached English, cheap had become evil.

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