malediction
Americannoun
-
a curse; imprecation.
- Synonyms:
- execration, damning
- Antonyms:
- benediction
-
the utterance of a curse.
noun
-
the utterance of a curse against someone or something
-
slanderous accusation or comment
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of malediction
1400–50; late Middle English malediccion < Latin maledictiōn- (stem of maledictiō ) slander ( Late Latin: curse). See male-, diction
Explanation
“Darn you!” “Go bury your head in the sand.” “You ugly nincompoop!” Each of those nasty curses is a malediction (and, I’m sure, nothing you would ever say to another human being). A malediction is a curse. Not like the kind a witch puts on someone, but close. More like what the schoolyard bully says to hurt someone’s feelings. On purpose. Malediction has male in it, but it’s not a slur against men or boys. Mal comes from the Latin for "evil" and "diction," and as you may remember, has to do with what we say. So a malediction is an evil statement directed at someone else. Pretty nasty, if you ask me.
Vocabulary lists containing malediction
You Can Say That Again: Dic and Dict
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King Lear
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Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Malediction on all whom the tyrant protects!" said Pietro, sullenly.
From Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century. by Bolanden, Conrad von
The reference is to 'The Malediction of Minerva, or The Athenian Marble-Market', which appeared in the 'New Monthly Magazine' for April, 1818, vol. iii.
From Byron's Poetical Works, Volume 1 by Coleridge, Ernest Hartley
C The Malediction of the Saint is laid upon the Stones of Usniach.
From The Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick Including the Life by Jocelin, Hitherto Unpublished in America, and His Extant Writings by O'Leary, James
Malediction, mal-e-dik′shun, n. evil-speaking: a calling down of evil: curse: execration or imprecation.—adjs.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Malediction, malediction upon me, who held the avenging hands of my sons!
From An Eagle Flight A Filipino Novel Adapted from Noli Me Tangere by Rizal, José
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
