malign

Definition

Evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.

Etymology

From Middle English maligne, from Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, from malus (“bad”) + genus (“sort, kind”). Compare benign.

Example Sentences

• "Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits."
• "It may be true that such running is exceptional rather than normal; there are still innumerable checks of one kind or another, many of them, alas, directly or indirectly the result of engine failures; and bad coal has often a malign influence."
• "He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance."

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