blackguardism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   dishonorable, abusive, or scurrilous conduct characteristic of a blackguard

   The memoir condemns the fraud and blackguardism that surrounded the campaign.

2. 2
   noun

   an instance of coarse abuse, insulting speech, or contemptible behavior

   The editor removed several personal blackguardisms from the article.

Formed from blackguard + -ism. Blackguard originally referred to low-ranking household or kitchen servants, then to a disorderly group and finally to a contemptible person. The suffix -ism turns that character into a type of conduct or an instance of it.

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