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]