- miscreant (adj.)
- early 14c., "heretical, unbelieving, infidel," from O.Fr. mescreant, from mes- "wrongly" (see mis- (2)) + creant, prp. of creire "believe," from L. credere (see credit). The noun is attested from late 14c.; originally "heathen, Saracen;" sense of "villain" first recorded 1590 in Spenser.