Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VILE, a. [L. vilis; Fr. and Sp. vil; It. vile; Gr. {foreign}.]

1. Base; mean; worthless; despicable. The inhabitants account gold a vile thing. Abbot. A man in vile raiment. James ii. Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed as vile in your sights? Job xviii.
2. Morally base or impure; sinful; depraved by sin; wicked; hateful in the sight of God and of good men. The sons of Eli made themselves vile. I Sam. iii. Behold sin; what shall I answer? Job xl.