Malice-aforethought
noun, Law.
1.
a predetermination to commit an unlawful act without just cause or provocation (applied chiefly to cases of first-degree murder).
noun (criminal law)
1.
the predetermination to do an unlawful act, esp to kill or seriously injure
2.
the intent with which an unlawful killing is effected, which must be proved for the crime to constitute murder See also murder, manslaughter
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[mal-is] /ˈmæl ɪs/ noun 1. desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness: the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy. 2. Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others. /ˈmælɪs/ noun 1. the […]
- Malicious
[muh-lish-uh s] /məˈlɪʃ əs/ adjective 1. full of, characterized by, or showing ; intentionally harmful; spiteful: malicious gossip. 2. Law. vicious, wanton, or mischievous in motivation or purpose. /məˈlɪʃəs/ adjective 1. characterized by malice 2. motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous purposes adj. early 13c., from Old French malicios “showing ill will, spiteful, wicked” (Modern […]
- Maliciously
[muh-lish-uh s] /məˈlɪʃ əs/ adjective 1. full of, characterized by, or showing ; intentionally harmful; spiteful: malicious gossip. 2. Law. vicious, wanton, or mischievous in motivation or purpose. /məˈlɪʃəs/ adjective 1. characterized by malice 2. motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous purposes adv. late 14c., from malicious + -ly (2). adj. early 13c., from Old […]
- Maliciousness
[muh-lish-uh s] /məˈlɪʃ əs/ adjective 1. full of, characterized by, or showing ; intentionally harmful; spiteful: malicious gossip. 2. Law. vicious, wanton, or mischievous in motivation or purpose. /məˈlɪʃəs/ adjective 1. characterized by malice 2. motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous purposes n. mid-15c., from malicious + -ness. adj. early 13c., from Old French malicios […]
- Malicious-mischief
noun 1. willful destruction of personal property motivated by ill will or resentment toward its owner or possessor.