/mal"euh fak'teuhr/ , n.
1. a person who violates the law; criminal.
2. a person who does harm or evil, esp. toward another.
[ 1400-50; late ME malefactour malefactor, equiv. to malefac ( ere ) to act wickedly, do an evil deed (see MALE-, FACT) + -tor -TOR ]
Syn. 1. felon, culprit.
Ant. 2. benefactor.