Ma*lign" (?), a. [L. malignus, for maligenus, i. e., of a bad kind or nature; malus bad + the root of genus birth, race, kind: cf. F. malin, masc., maligne, fem. See Malice, Gender, and cf. Benign, Malignant.]
1.
Having an evil disposition toward others; harboring violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; -- opposed to benign.
Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.
Bacon.
2.
Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure; as, a malign aspect of planets.
3.
Malignant; as, a malign ulcer.
[R.]
Bacon.
© Webster 1913.
Ma*lign", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maligned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Maligning.] [Cf. L. malignare. See Malign, a.]
To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong; to injure
. [Obs.]
The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them.
Spenser.
2.
To speak great evil of; to traduce; to defame; to slander; to vilify; to asperse.
To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling.
South.
© Webster 1913.
Ma*lign", v. i.
To entertain malice.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.