maleficent

UK/mә'lefisnt/US

GREC2

Definitions

adj.

Causing harm or evil; doing wicked deeds

作恶的；有害的，邪恶的

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

male-bad, ill, wrong

ficmake, do

-entperforming, being in a state

=maleficent

male- (badly, evil) + fic (do/make) + -ent = 'doing evil.' The exact opposite of beneficent (doing good). The Disney villain Maleficent is literally named 'the evil-doer.'

Root fac still carries 273 more words

Example Sentences

1.
In the legend, a maleficent spirit cursed the entire village.
2.
Critics called the policy maleficent, designed to hurt the poorest.

Easily Confused

maleficent vs beneficent — same fic (do) root, opposite prefixes: male- (evil) vs bene- (good). maleficent = doing harm; beneficent = doing good. Also distinct from malevolent (wishing evil, about intent rather than deeds).

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