scelestus
[skɛˈɫɛs.tʊs]masculine
The English phrase villain is translated into Latin as scelestus.
scelestus is used to describe a scoundrel.
Meaning: scoundrel (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use scelesta to refer to a wicked woman or a female scoundrel, and use scelestum to refer to a wicked thing or a neuter scoundrel. For a group of masculine scoundrels, use the plural form scelesti.
Did you know?
- While scelestus describes a villain, the word 'villain' in English actually comes from the Latin villanus, meaning a peasant who lived on a 'villa'.
- The word 'scelus' is the ancestor of the English word 'scelerat', which is an archaic term for a villain or a wretch.
- The word scelestus is built directly from the noun scelus, which means an 'evil deed' or 'crime'.
Examples in context
- Verum est, ille est nequam, et saepe alios decipit.It's true, he is wicked, and often deceives others.
Example conversation
Marcus and Claudia are discussing a dishonest man.
- MarcusVisne audire de illo viro?Do you want to hear about that man?
- ClaudiaQui est is vir, Marce?Who is this man, Marcus?
- MarcusEst scelestus et mendax.He is a scoundrel and a liar.
- ClaudiaTunc non eum videbo.Then I will not see him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “villain” translations and entries scelestus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries scelestus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
