malefice

noun

mal·​e·​fice

ˈmaləfə̇s

plural -s

1

: a piece of evil sorcery : an evil spell or enchantment

a magic power working against mysterious malefices

—Joseph Conrad

2

archaic : a piece of mischief : an evil deed

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin maleficium, from maleficus

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