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malevolence

 - 3 dictionary results

ma⋅lev⋅o⋅lence

  [muh-lev-uh-luhns]
Use malevolence in a Sentence
–noun
the quality, state, or feeling of being malevolent; ill will; malice; hatred.
Origin:
1425–75; < L malevolentia (see malevolent, -ence ); r. late ME malivolence < MF < L as above

Synonyms:
maliciousness, spite, spitefulness, grudge, venom. Malevolence, malignity, rancor suggest the wishing of harm to others. Malevolence is a smoldering ill will: a vindictive malevolence in her expression. Malignity is a deep-seated and virulent disposition to injure; it is more dangerous than malevolence, because it is not only more completely concealed but it often instigates harmful acts: The malignity of his nature was shocking. Rancor is a lasting, corrosive, and implacable hatred and resentment.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To malevolence
ma·lev·o·lence   (mə-lěv'ə-ləns)   
n.  

  1. The quality or state of being malevolent.

  2. Malicious behavior.


[Middle English, from Old French malivolence, from Latin malevolentia, from malevolēns, malevolent-, malevolent : male, badly; see mel-3 in Indo-European roots + volēns, present participle of velle, to want; see wel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

malevolence 
c.1489, from O.Fr. malevolence, from L. malevolentia, from malevolentem (nom. malevolens) "malevolent," from male "badly" + volentem (nom. volens), prp. of velle "to wish."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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