mal-, male-, mali-
(Latin: bad, badly, harsh, wrong; ill; evil; abnormal, defective; used primarily as a prefix)
This combining form has no etymological connection to "male", meaning "man" or "masculine"; despite what some women may think.
malcontentment
maldigestion
Disordered digestion.
maledict
1. To address with maledictions or curses.
2. To utter a curse against someone or something.
maledicted
Spoken of in an evil manner, accursed.
malediction
1. The utterance of a curse; the condition of being under a ban or curse.
2. Reviling, slander; the condition of being reviled or slandered.
3. Slander or evil talk about someone.
maledictory
Of the nature of, or resembling a malediction.
malefaction
Evil-doing; an instance of evil-doing, a criminal act; an act of wrong or injury to a person.
malefactor
1. One guilty of a heinous offence against the law; a felon, a criminal.
2. An evil-doer; one who does ill towards another; especially, as an antithesis with "benefactor".
malefic
1. Having an unfavorable or malignant influence.
2. Malicious, evil.
3. Producing disaster or evil; baleful in effect or purpose.
maleficence
Doing evil.
maleficent
1. Of things and spiritual agencies which are working harm, are hurtful, and are malefic.
2. A reference to people, their acts and dispositions; such as, wrong-doing, criminal, etc.
malevolence
The attribute of being malevolent; the wishing or the disposition to wish evil to others; ill-will, malice, spitefulness.
malevolent
1. Desirous of evil to others; entertaining, actuated by, or indicative of ill-will; disposed or addicted to ill-will.
2. A person of evil wishes or designs; an evil influence.
malevolently
malfeasance
Evil-doing; specifically, official misconduct on the part of someone in public employment.
Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units meaning "bad, wrong":
caco-, kako-;
dys-;
mis-;
pessim-;
sceler-.
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