dictionary definitions for "malevolent"


From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:

  malevolent
      adj 1: wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from
             intense ill will or hatred; "a gossipy malevolent old
             woman"; "failure made him malevolent toward those who
             were successful" [syn: malicious] [ant:
             benevolent]
      2: extremely malevolent or malicious; "the malignant tongues of
         gossipers" [syn: malignant]
      3: having or exerting a malignant influence; "malevolent
         stars"; "a malefic force" [syn: malefic, malign,
         evil]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Malevolent \Ma*lev"o*lent\, a. [L. malevolens, -entis; male ill
     + volens, p. pr. of velle to be willing or disposed, to wish.
     See Malice, and Voluntary.]
     Wishing evil; disposed to injure others; rejoicing in
     another's misfortune.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Ill-disposed; envious; mischievous; evil-minded;
          spiteful; malicious; malignant; rancorous.
          [1913 Webster]


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