Main Entry:

¹ma·lign

Pronunciation:

\mə-ˈlīn\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English maligne, from Anglo-French, from Latin malignus, from male badly + gignere to beget — more at mal-, kin

Date:

14th century

1 a: evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious <the malign effects of illicit drugs> b: malignant, virulent2: having or showing intense often vicious ill will : malevolent

synonyms see sinister

— ma·lign·ly adverb