- Enter a word for the dictionary definition. From The
Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48: Vile
\Vile\ (v[imac]l), a. [Comp. Viler (v[imac]l"[~e]r); superl.
Vilest.] [OE. vil, F. vil, from L. vilis cheap, worthless, vile,
base.] [1913 Webster] 1. Low; base; worthless; mean; despicable.
[1913 Webster] A poor man in vile raiment. --James ii. 2. [1913
Webster] The craft either of fishing, which was Peter's, or of
making tents, which was Paul's, were [was] more vile than the
science of physic. --Ridley. [1913 Webster] The inhabitants
account gold but as a vile thing. --Abp. Abbot. [1913 Webster]
2. Morally base or impure; depraved by sin; hateful in the sight
of God and men; sinful; wicked; bad. "Such vile base practices."
--Shak. [1913 Webster] Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer
thee ? --Job xl. 4. [1913 Webster] Syn: See Base. [1913 Webster]
-- Vile"ly, adv. -- Vile"ness, n. [1913 Webster]