Malevolent
/məˈlɛv.ə.lənt/noun
Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
Did you know?The term "malevolent" originates from Latin roots that imply an intentional desire to harm, linking it to ancient beliefs about the power of the will to conjure misfortune.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*male-
“to be ill or bad”
Latin
Latin
malevolentem
“ill-wishing, wishing evil”
Old French
Old French
malevolent
“malevolent, wishing harm”
14th Century
Middle English
malefolent
“ill-disposed, malicious”
Modern English
English
malevolent
“having or showing a wish to do evil to others”
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