English

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Etymology

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From Italian maleficenza or Middle French maleficence or directly from Latin maleficentia.[1][2]

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /məˈlɛfɪsəns/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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maleficence (countable and uncountable, plural maleficences)

  1. harmfulness or mischief.

Antonyms

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References

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  1. ^ maleficence”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present:Italian maleficenza, from Latin maleficentia
  2. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “maleficence”, in Online Etymology Dictionary:from French maleficence or directly from Latin maleficentia