MALEVOLENCE


Meaning of MALEVOLENCE in English

/meuh lev"euh leuhns/ , n.

the quality, state, or feeling of being malevolent; ill will; malice; hatred.

[ 1425-75; malevolentia (see MALEVOLENT, -ENCE); r. late ME malivolence ]

Syn . maliciousness, spite, spitefulness, grudge, venom. MALEVOLENCE, MALIGNITY, RANCOR suggest the wishing of harm to others. MALEVOLENCE is a smoldering ill will: a vindictive malevolence in her expression. MALIGNITY is a deep-seated and virulent disposition to injure; it is more dangerous than MALEVOLENCE, because it is not only more completely concealed but it often instigates harmful acts: The malignity of his nature was shocking. RANCOR is a lasting, corrosive, and implacable hatred and resentment.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .