I. |malə|fīdē, |mälə|fē(ˌ)dā adverb
Etymology: Late Latin, in bad faith
: with or in bad faith : falsely and maliciously
the debates … are reported mala fide — T.E.May
II. adjective
1.
a. : acting with intent to deceive or defraud
a mala fide agent
b. : holding by a title known to lack legal sanction
a mala fide possessor
mala fide settlers … swore they had established residence — R.G.Lillard
2. : specious , insincere
a mala fide proposal