malefaction
(mælɪˈfækʃən)
[ad. L. malefactiōnem, n. of action f. malefacĕre: see prec.]
Evil-doing; an instance of evil-doing, a criminal act.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. ii. ii. 621 Guilty Creatures..Haue..Bene strooke so to the soule, that presently They haue proclaim'd their Malefactions. 1624 Heywood Captives iii. ii. in Bullen O. Pl. IV. 162 And all thy malefactions crownd with lyes. 1793 J. Williams Mem. W. Hastings 20 That overbearing tide of prejudice, which would..come rushing down even upon innocence when charged with malefactions. 1805 T. Holcroft Bryan Perdue I. 70 The vice of gaming was not the only malefaction of my father. 1900 Daily Tel. 27 Aug. 6/2 The misery caused by their malefaction. |
b. occas. An act of wrong or injury to a person.
| 1879 H. Spencer Data of Ethics xi. §72. 194 Such disregard of self as brings on suffering, bodily or mental, is a malefaction to others. |