Word Study
scoundrel
CIDE DICTIONARY
scoundrel, n. [Probably from Prov. E. & Scotch scunner, scouner, to loathe, to disgust, akin to AS. scunian to shun. See Shun.].
A mean, worthless fellow; a rascal; a villain; a man without honor or virtue. [1913 Webster]
"Go, if your ancient, but ignoble blood
Has crept through scoundrels ever since the flood." [1913 Webster]
Has crept through scoundrels ever since the flood." [1913 Webster]
scoundrel, a.
Low; base; mean; unprincipled. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
scoundrel, n. an unscrupulous villain; a rogue.
Derivative
scoundreldom n. scoundrelism n. scoundrelly adj.
Etymology
16th c.: orig. unkn.
THESAURUS
scoundrel
bastard, blackguard, bounder, cad, criminal, cur, deceiver, devil, good-for-nothing, heel, knave, louse, lowlife, miscreant, precious rascal, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, rotter, scalawag, scamp, scapegrace, shyster, sneak, spalpeen, traitor, villain, wretchROGET THESAURUS
scoundrel
Bad Man
N bad man, wrongdoer, worker of iniquity, evildoer, sinner, the wicked, bad example, villain, rascal, scoundrel, miscreant, budmash, caitiff, wretch, reptile, viper, serpent, cockatrice, basilisk, urchin, tiger, monster, devil, devil incarnate, demon in human shape, Nana Sahib, hellhound, hellcat, rakehell, bad woman, jade, Jezebel, scamp, scapegrace, rip, runagate, ne'er-do-well, reprobate, scalawag, scallawag, rou_e, rake, Sadist, skeesicks, skeezix, limb, one who has sold himself to the devil, fallen angel, ame damnee, vaurien, mauvais sujet, loose fish, sad dog, rounder, lost sheep, black sheep, castaway, recreant, defaulter, prodigal, rough, rowdy, hooligan, tough, ugly customer, mean mother, ruffian, bully, meanie, Jonathan Wild, hangman, incendiary, arsonist, fire bug, thief, murderer, terrorist, culprit, delinquent, crook, hoodlum, hood, criminal, thug, malefactor, offender, perpetrator, perp, disorderly person, misdemeanant, outlaw, scofflaw, vandal, felon, (convicted criminal), criminal, convict, prisoner, inmate, jail bird, ticket of leave man, multiple offender, blackguard, polisson, loafer, sneak, rapscallion, rascallion, cullion, mean wretch, varlet, kern, ame-de-boue, drole, cur, dog, hound, whelp, mongrel, lown, loon, runnion, outcast, vagabond, rogue, ronian, scum of the earth, riffraff, Arcades ambo, Int, sirrah!, Acherontis pabulum, gibier de potence.For further exploring for "scoundrel" in Webster Dictionary Online