malevolence - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ma·lev·o·lence

Audio Help [muh-lev-uh-luh

ns] Pronunciation Key

–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 (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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malevolence

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ma·lev·o·lence Audio Help (mə-lěv'ə-ləns) Pronunciation Key
n.

The quality or state of being malevolent.
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.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

malevolence
noun
1.	wishing evil to others [ant: benevolence]
2.	the quality of threatening evil

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Malevolence

Ma*lev"o*lence\, n. [L. malevolentia. See Malevolent.] The quality or state of being malevolent; evil disposition toward another; inclination to injure others; ill will. See Synonym of Malice.

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