Malady
/ˈmæl.ə.di/noun
A disease or ailment.
Did you know?The word "malady" stems from the Old French for 'sickly' or 'ill', connecting it to the ancient belief that sickness was a punishment or curse.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
maladīa
“A state of being sick, from 'malus' meaning bad.”
Old French
Old French
maladiet
“Condition of illness, derived from Latin.”
Middle English
Middle English
maladie
“An ailment or disease.”
Modern English
English
malady
“A term for a wide range of diseases or disorders.”
Explore more surprising origins