black·guard

(blăg′ərd, -ärd′)

1. A thoroughly unprincipled person; a scoundrel.

2. A foul-mouthed person.

tr.v. black·guard·ed, black·guard·ing, black·guards

To abuse verbally; revile.

black′guard·ism n.

black′guard·ly adj. & adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

blackguardism

behavior typical of a blackguard, characterized by use of obscene language and by roguish actions. — blackguardery, n. — blackguardly, adj.

See also: Behavior

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References in periodicals archive

At times (and even omitting the workers'-paradise factor), conversions have necessitated financial punishment, such as adopting modish anti-Catholic blackguardism would have forever dispelled.

Catholic Converts from Downunder ... And All Over

A member of the Prince of Wales's Brighton circle, he was nicknamed "Hellgate" for his blackguardism. Some idea of his legacy is contained in this remark, made in a secret history entitled Truth Opposed to Fiction (1793), that "the most ambitious wish of his life seems amply gratified in the very unfortunate moment of his death; for, as he lived, so he died, a subject even of national observation" (2).

Edgeworth's Castle Rackrent as secret history

He said he had identified a core group of students who were responsible for the "pure blackguardism" that caused widespread intimidation and saw a group of youths steal a walking stick from an elderly man.

RAG BAGS; Galway students warn of mayhem one year after rioting in the City

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