malfeasant, a. and n.
(mælˈfiːzənt)
Also 9 malfaisant.
[a. F. malfaisant, f. mal ill, mal-, + faisant, pr. pple. of faire to do.]
a. adj. Evil-doing. b. n. An evil-doer, a criminal.
| 1809 E. S. Barrett Setting Sun I. 31 Christians (soi-disant but mal-faisant followers of the mild doctrines of Christ). 1882 Morley R. Cobden xxiv. (1902) 84/1 Malfeasants on board a British ship should not be seized but..demanded from the Consul. |