malign meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

malign

adj

/məˈlaɪn/

Etymology From Middle English maligne, from Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, from malus (“bad”) + genus (“sort, kind”). Compare benign.

Evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.

Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
It may be true that such running is exceptional rather than normal; there are still innumerable checks of one kind or another, many of them, alas, directly or indirectly the result of engine failures; and bad coal has often a malign influence.1951 February, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 119:

Malevolent.

He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance.1891, Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge:

Medicine, Oncology, Sciences Malignant.

a malign ulcer
malign ulcers1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Seditions and Troubles”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:

Antonyms: benign
Derived terms: malignancy, maligner, malignify, malignly, malignment, unmalign
Related terms: malignant

verb

Etymology From Middle English maligne, from Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, from malus (“bad”) + genus (“sort, kind”). Compare benign.

To make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.

To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling.1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
The obvious joy of England's players and supporters after that dramatic finale was another indicator that the Uefa Nations League, mocked and maligned at its inception, is capturing the public's imagination.2018 November 18, Phil McNulty, “England 2 - 1 Croatia”, in BBC Sport:

1 more example

Yet, even as Democratic party leadership has decried this mass deportation plan and even as the bill maligns Democrats as victimizing Americans through its policy of “open borders,” 48 Democratic members of Congress voted for this GOP-backed bill.2025 January 19, Heba Gowayed, “The Laken Riley Act exposes Democrats’ hypocrisy on immigration”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Archaic To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong.

The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them.1596 (date written; published 1633), Edmund Spenser, A Vewe of the Present State of Irelande […], Dublin: […] Societie of Stationers, […], →OCLC; republished as A View of the State of Ireland […] (Ancient Irish Histories), Dublin: […] Society of Stationers, […] Hibernia Press, […] [b]y John Morrison, 1809, →OCLC: