How do you pronounce malign?

The recorded pronunciation is /məˈlaɪn/.

Where does malign come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

malign

/məˈlaɪn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.59 in modern English

Syllables: ma-lign
IPA: /məˈlaɪn/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.

adj

Malevolent.

adj

Malignant.

verb

To make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.

Transitive verb

verb

To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong.

Archaic; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits."
"It may be true that such running is exceptional rather than normal; there are still innumerable checks of one kind or another, many of them, alas, directly or indirectly the result of engine failures; and bad coal has often a malign influence."
"He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance."
"a malign ulcer"
"malign ulcers"
"To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling."

Etymology

From Middle English maligne, from Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, from malus (“bad”) + genus (“sort, kind”). Compare benign.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: maligne, malignus

Usage

Inflected Forms

more malign (comparative) most malign (superlative) maligns (present, singular) maligning (participle, present) maligned (participle, past) maligned (past)

Derived Forms

malignancy maligner malignify malignly malignment unmalign

Frequently Paired Words

malignant

Synonyms

asperse denigrate libel assassinate backbite badmouth befoul belibel besmirch besmear bewray blacken

Antonyms

benign

Rhymes With

line fine design sign mine nine wine decline define divine shine pine