ˈevil-ˈdoer
[f. evil n. + doer.]
One who does evil; a malefactor.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xii. xxxvii. 436 The herte of the lapwynge is gode to euyl doers. 1526–34 Tindale 2 Tim. ii. 9, I suffre trouble as an evyll doar even vnto bondes. 1611 Bible 1 Pet. ii. 12 They speake against you as euill doers. 1736 Berkeley Disc. to Magistrates Wks. III. 421 Punishments that await evil-doers. 1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles ix. 87 Those who were so sharp after evil⁓doers had commonly not the cleanest consciences themselves. 1864 Burton Scot Abr. I. v. 248 The formidable Proctor, who is a terror to evil-doers. |