/ məˈleɪz; NAmE / noun [ U , sing. ] ( formal )
1.
the problems affecting a particular situation or group of people that are difficult to explain or identify :
economic / financial / social malaise
2.
a general feeling of being ill / sick, unhappy or not satisfied, without signs of any particular problem
SYN unease :
a serious malaise among the staff
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 18th cent.: from French , from Old French mal bad (from Latin malus ) + aise ease.