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, virulent
2 : having or showing intense often vicious ill will : malevolent

synonyms see sinister

— ma·lign·ly adverb