malicious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective having the nature of or resulting from malice
    • malicious gossip
    • took malicious pleasure in...watching me wince"- Rudyard Kipling

WordNet

Ma*li"cious adjective
Etymology
Of. malicius, F. malicieux, fr. L. malitiosus. See Malice.
Definitions
  1. Indulging or exercising malice; harboring ill will or enmity.
    I grant him bloody, . . . Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin That has a name. Shak.
  2. Proceeding from hatred or ill will; dictated by malice; as, a malicious report; malicious mischief.
  3. (Law)With wicked or mischievous intentions or motives; wrongful and done intentionally without just cause or excuse; as, a malicious act. Syn. -- Ill-disposed; evil-minded; mischievous; envious; malevolent; invidious; spiteful; bitter; malignant; rancorous; malign. -- Ma*li"cious*ly, adv. -- Ma*li"cious*ness, n.

Webster 1913