malice aforethought
a predetermination to commit an unlawful act without just cause or provocation (applied chiefly to cases of first-degree murder).
Origin of malice aforethought
1- Also called malice prepense .
Words Nearby malice aforethought
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use malice aforethought in a sentence
To be frank, I seriously doubt if Madoff set out, with malice aforethought, to defraud anyone.
With malice aforethought, we made a raid to the extent of three pennies worth.
Gardens of the Caribbees, v. 1/2 | Ida May Hill StarrBut let it be recorded to the old town's credit, the evil was propagated without malice aforethought.
Watch Yourself Go By | Al. G. FieldBut even granting that, one could scarcely help suspecting malice aforethought in the curious provision.
Boyhood in Norway | Hjalmar Hjorth BoyesenHe claims that Bud pitched him into that dishpan uh dough with malice aforethought.
The Happy Family | Bertha Muzzy Bower
It is not waiting for them to drag down the banner to the dust; it is making haste to trail it for them with malice aforethought.
A New Atmosphere | Gail Hamilton
British Dictionary definitions for malice aforethought
the predetermination to do an unlawful act, esp to kill or seriously injure
the intent with which an unlawful killing is effected, which must be proved for the crime to constitute murder: See also murder, manslaughter
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
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