malign

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• enPR: mə-līn', IPA^(key): /məˈlaɪn/

• Audio (US)

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Adjective

malign (comparative more malign, superlative most malign)

1. evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.
   • Francis Bacon

     Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.

2. malevolent.
   • 1891 - Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

     He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance.

3. (oncology) malignant

   a malign ulcer

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Francis Bacon to this entry?)

Verb

malign (third-person singular simple present maligns, present participle maligning, simple past and past participle maligned)

1. (transitive) To make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.
   • (Can we date this quote?) South

     To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling.

2. (transitive, archaic) To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Spenser

     The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them.

Anagrams

• Gilman, laming, lingam