English

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?)

Related terms

• malignant

Antonyms

• benign

Translations

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.

Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:defame

Translations

Anagrams

• laming
• lingam