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malign

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The definition of malign is to speak badly about or criticism someone.

(verb)

An example of malign is when you say someone is a thief.

See malign in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to speak evil of; defame; slander; traduce

Origin: ME malignen < OFr malignier, to plot, deceive < LL malignare < LL malignus, wicked, malicious < male, ill (see mal-) + base of genus, born: see genus

adjective

showing ill will; malicious
evil; baleful: a malign influence
very harmful; malignant

Related Forms:

maligner noun

See malign in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb ma·ligned, ma·lign·ing, ma·ligns

To make evil, harmful, and often untrue statements about; speak evil of.

adjective

Evil in disposition, nature, or intent.
Evil in influence; injurious.
Having or showing malice or ill will; malevolent.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English malignen, to attack

Origin: , from Old French malignier

Origin: , from Late Latin malignārī

Origin: , from Latin malignus, malign; see genə- in Indo-European roots

Origin: . Adj., from Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin malignus

Related Forms:

ma·lignˈer noun

ma·lignˈly adverb

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