Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Malign?

\Ma*lign"\, a. [L. malignus, for maligenus, i. e., of a bad kind or nature; malus bad + the root of genus birth, race, kind: cf. F. malin, masc., maligne, fem. See {Malice}, {Gender}, and cf. {Benign}, {Malignant}.] 1. Having an evil disposition toward others; harboring violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; -- opposed to {benign}. Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits. --Bacon. 2. Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure; as, a malign aspect of planets. 3. Malignant; as, a malign ulcer. [R.] --Bacon.
\Ma*lign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maligned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Maligning}.] [Cf. L. malignare. See {Malign}, a.] To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong; to injure. [Obs.] The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them. --Spenser. 2. To speak great evil of; to traduce; to defame; to slander; to vilify; to asperse. To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling. --South.
\Ma*lign"\, v. i. To entertain malice. [Obs.]