malefactor

[ mal-uh-fak-ter ]
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noun
  1. a person who violates the law; criminal.

  2. a person who does harm or evil, especially toward another.

Origin of malefactor

1
1400–50; late Middle English malefactour<Latin malefactor, equivalent to malefac(ere) to act wickedly, do an evil deed (see male-, fact) + -tor-tor

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British Dictionary definitions for malefactor

malefactor

/ (ˈmælɪˌfæktə) /


noun
  1. a criminal; wrongdoer

Origin of malefactor

1
C15: via Old French from Latin, from malefacere to do evil

Derived forms of malefactor

  • malefaction, noun
  • malefactress, fem n

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