adj.
Pronunciation: m ə - ' l ī n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English maligne, from Anglo-French, from Latin malignus, from male badly + gignere to beget ― more at MAL- , KIN
Date: 14th century
1 a : evil in nature, influence, or effect : INJURIOUS <the malign effects of illicit drugs> b : MALIGNANT , VIRULENT
2 : having or showing intense often vicious ill will : MALEVOLENT
synonyms see SINISTER
– ma · lign · ly adverb