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scellerato

wicked

adjective shel-leh-RAH-toh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Values

Origin: From Latin sceleratus ('stained with crime'), from scelus ('crime').

Also means

villainous

Usage Note

Scellerato is a strong literary or formal adjective and noun meaning morally depraved, villainous, or wicked. As a noun, uno scellerato means 'a villain' or 'a scoundrel'. It belongs to an elevated register and is common in classical Italian literature and opera libretti. In modern colloquial speech, malvagio, cattivo, or infame are more usual.

Examples

"Il piano scellerato del nemico fu sventato."

Natural Translation

The villain's wicked plan was foiled.

Literal Translation

The plan wicked of-the enemy was foiled.

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