Scoundrelry

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Dishonest or unscrupulous behavior characteristic of a disreputable or unprincipled person
2. Deceitful and unethical conduct typical of someone lacking moral integrity or honesty
3. Unprincipled actions and schemes executed by those of corrupt character and questionable morality

Etymology: "Scoundrelry" is a plain English formation: the noun "scoundrel" with the suffix "-ry" added, which turns a person-word into a word for the conduct or collective behaviour of such people. The suffix comes from Old French "-erie" and appears in many older English nouns, such as "knavery" and "rookery," so the pattern was already familiar to English speakers when this word was built. The base word "scoundrel" is itself of uncertain origin, and the word "scoundrelry" is recorded in 1859, a relatively late date for such a coinage. Its appearance in print that year shows that English writers were comfortable applying the suffix to "scoundrel" to name a whole category of dishonest behaviour, rather than the act of a single individual.