I. -nənt adjective
Etymology: Late Latin malignant-, malignans, present participle of malignare, malignari to act maliciously
1.
a. obsolete : rebellious , disaffected , malcontent
b. : evil in nature or influence or effect : injurious , baleful , malign
astrological belief in the malignant power of the stars
c. : having or showing or indicative of intense often vicious ill will : desiring or causing or rejoicing in the sufferings of others : extremely malevolent or malicious
the malignant tongues of gossipers
2. medicine : tending to produce death or deterioration
malignant malaria
a. of a tumor : unencapsulated and tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and in the absence of treatment terminate fatally — opposed to benign
b. : severe and rapidly progressive
malignant hyptertension
c. : of unfavorable prognosis : not responding favorably to treatment
psychotic reactions with a malignant trend
• ma·lig·nant·ly adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. archaic : one that is rebellious, disaffected, or malcontent
2. usually capitalized , archaic : cavalier 4a