malefaction

[ mal-uh-fak-shuhn ]

noun

1. an evil deed; crime; wrongdoing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of malefaction¹

First recorded in 1375–1425 for an earlier sense; 1595–1605 for current sense; Middle English malefaccioun “impotence”; malefactor, -ion

Example Sentences

His preferred field of malefaction is the country that is most nearly anarchical.

From Project Gutenberg

The only doubt is that the malefaction is worth the burning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• atrocity
• breach
• case
• corruption
• evil
• felony
• infraction
• lawlessness
• misconduct
• misdeed
• misdemeanor
• scandal
• transgression
• violation
• wrongdoing