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malign definition

ma·lign (mə līn′)

transitive verb

to speak evil of; defame; slander; traduce

Etymology: ME malignen < OFr malignier, to plot, deceive < LL malignare < LL malignus, wicked, malicious < male, ill (see mal-) + base of genus, born: see genus

adjective

  1. showing ill will; malicious
  2. evil; baleful a malign influence
  3. very harmful; malignant

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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