malice aforethought

malice aforethought

noun Law.
a predetermination to commit an unlawful act without just cause or provocation (applied chiefly to cases of first-degree murder).
Also called malice prepense.


Origin:
1660–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Malice aforethought is always a great word to know.
So is exception. Does it mean:
an objection, as to a ruling of the court in the course of a trial
an allegation made by a party to a legal suit, in support of his or her claim or defense; a defendant's answer to a legal declaration or charge
Collins
World English Dictionary
malice aforethought
 
n
1.  the predetermination to do an unlawful act, esp to kill or seriously injure
2.  murder See also manslaughter the intent with which an unlawful killing is effected, which must be proved for the crime to constitute murder

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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