malediction
[ mal-i-dik-shuhn ]
/ ˌmæl ɪˈdɪk ʃən /
noun
RELATED WORDS
cuss, execration, commination, expletive, imprecation, anathema, whammy, denunciation, damn, damnation, oath, jinx, darn, damning, no-no
Nearby words
malebo pool, malebranche, malebranche, nicolas, malecite, maledict, malediction, maledictory, maleducation, malefaction, malefactor, malefactress
Origin of malediction
Related formsmal·e·dic·tive, mal·e·dic·to·ry [mal-i-dik-tuh-ree] /ˌmæl ɪˈdɪk tə ri/, adjectiveun·mal·e·dic·tive, adjectiveun·mal·e·dic·to·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for malediction
British Dictionary definitions for malediction
malediction
/ (ˌmælɪˈdɪkʃən) /
noun
the utterance of a curse against someone or something
slanderous accusation or comment
Derived Formsmaledictive or maledictory, adjective
Word Origin for malediction
C15: from Latin maledictiō a reviling, from male ill + dīcere to speak
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for malediction
malediction
mid-15c., from Old French maledicion "a curse" (15c.), from Latin maledictionem (nominative maledictio) "the action of speaking evil of, slander," in Late Latin "a curse," noun of action from past participle stem of maledicere "to speak badly or evil of, slander," from male "badly" (see mal-) + dicere "to say" (see diction).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper