† malfeasor Obs.
Forms: 4–5 mal(e)fesour, mau-, mawfesour, 5 maffaisour.
[a. OF. malfaisor, agent-n. f. mal faire: see prec.]
An evil-doer, a malefactor.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 211 Þe maufesours ateynt, & cursed ouer þe nape. 14.. in Hist. Coll. Citizen London (Camden) 99 Hoolye for to forgevyn alle the malefesourys or evylle doers of hem dwellynge in the same cytte. 1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 85 Al maner mawfesours shulden ben unponnishid. 1424 Paston Lett. I. 12 Certeyns maffaisours, felons, and brekeres of the kynges peas vnknowyn. |