malinger

[ muh-ling-ger ]

verb (used without object)

1. to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty, avoid work, etc.

malinger

/ məˈlɪŋɡə /

verb

1. intr to pretend or exaggerate illness, esp to avoid work

Derived Forms

• maˈlingerer, noun

Other Words From

• ma·lin·ger·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of malinger¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from French malingre “sickly, ailing,” equivalent to mal- “bad, ill” + Old French heingre “haggard” (perhaps from Germanic ); mal-

Word History and Origins

Origin of malinger¹

C19: from French malingre sickly, perhaps from mal badly + Old French haingre feeble

Example Sentences

It was quick work; but Bowles had a college education—he had been only six hours a cowboy when he learned to malinger on the job.

From Project Gutenberg

One, of course, can readily see with what facility an individual of the type under discussion could malinger mental symptoms.

From Project Gutenberg

No man ever essayed to malinger or to shirk a duty to which he had been allotted by the doctor.

From Project Gutenberg

"Sheep," who has been disposed to malinger, is the worst of the lot.

From Project Gutenberg