Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

malediction

[mal-i-dik-shuhn]
See more synonyms for malediction on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a curse; imprecation.
  2. the utterance of a curse.
  3. slander.
Show More

Origin of malediction

1400–50; late Middle English malediccion < Latin maledictiōn- (stem of maledictiō) slander (Late Latin: curse). See male-, diction
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

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. damning, execration.

Antonyms

1. benediction.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

cussexecrationcomminationexpletiveimprecationanathemawhammydenunciationdamndamnationoathjinxdarndamningno-no

Examples from the Web for malediction

Historical Examples

  • Horror, shame, misery, and malediction; I have betrayed you.

    Romance

    Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer

  • The Juez is there, and I call the malediction of the priests on my head if you, too, are not doomed.

    Romance

    Joseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer

  • It is the malediction of mortals to want what they lack until they get it, when they want it no more.

    The Paliser case

    Edgar Saltus

  • Jeff thought of Yuba Bill's malediction, and understood it as he gazed.

  • If only my malediction is needed for that, I bestow it upon him!

British Dictionary definitions for malediction

malediction

noun
  1. the utterance of a curse against someone or something
  2. slanderous accusation or comment
Show More
Derived Formsmaledictive or maledictory, adjective

Word Origin

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for malediction

n.

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).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper