— malfeasant , adj. , n.
/mal fee"zeuhns/ , n. Law.
the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used esp. of an act in violation of a public trust). Cf. misfeasance (def. 2), nonfeasance .
[ 1690-1700; earlier malefeasance. See MALE-, FEASANCE ]