Malice
/ˈmæl.ɪs/noun
The intention or desire to do evil or harm to others.
Did you know?The word 'malice' is derived from Latin 'malitia', which embodies not just evil intent but also a form of wickedness that was often linked to sorcery and curses in medieval texts.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
malitia
“Wickedness, badness, ill will.”
Late Latin
Late Latin
malitia
“The quality of being bad, also associated with spite.”
Old French
Old French
malice
“Ill will, spite, or a desire to harm.”
Middle English
Middle English
malice
“Intent to do evil or injury, especially in a legal context.”
Modern English
English
malice
“Intention or desire to do harm or evil.”
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