GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found 2 definitions
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malice , n. [F. malice, fr. L. malitia, from malus bad, ill, evil, prob. orig., dirty, black; cf. Gr. μέλας black, Skr. mala dirt. Cf. Mauger.]
- Enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; a spirit delighting in harm or misfortune to another; a disposition to injure another; a malignant design of evil. “Nor set down aught in malice.” Shak.1913 Webster
Envy, hatred, and malice are three distinct passions of the mind.
Ld. Holt.1913 Webster - (Law) Any wicked or mischievous intention of the mind; a depraved inclination to mischief; an intention to vex, annoy, or injure another person, or to do a wrongful act without just cause or cause or excuse; a wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others; willfulness.1913 Webster
Malice aforethought or Malice prepense, malice previously and deliberately entertained.
1913 WebsterSyn. -- Spite; ill will; malevolence; grudge; pique; bitterness; animosity; malignity; maliciousness; rancor; virulence. See Spite. -- Malevolence, Malignity, Malignancy. Malice is a stronger word than malevolence, which may imply only a desire that evil may befall another, while malice desires, and perhaps intends, to bring it about. Malignity is intense and deepseated malice. It implies a natural delight in hating and wronging others. One who is malignant must be both malevolent and malicious; but a man may be malicious without being malignant.
1913 WebsterProud tyrants who maliciously destroy
And ride o'er ruins with malignant joy.Somerville.1913 Websterin some connections, malignity seems rather more pertinently applied to a radical depravity of nature, and malignancy to indications of this depravity, in temper and conduct in particular instances.
Cogan.1913 Webster
- Enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; a spirit delighting in harm or misfortune to another; a disposition to injure another; a malignant design of evil. “Nor set down aught in malice.”
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Malice, v. t. To regard with extreme ill will. [Obs.]1913 Webster