1447, from O.Fr.
maledicion, from L.
maledictionem (nom.
maledictio) "the action of speaking evil of, slander," in L.L. "a curse," from
maledictus, pp. of
maledicere "to speak badly or evil of, slander," from
male "badly" +
dicere "to say" (see
diction).
[mal-i-dik-shuh
n] 