malfeasance

Definitions

mal- (badly) + feasance (a doing, via Old French faisance from fac) = 'a doing of wrong.' The -feas-/-feis- spelling is the French route of fac, the same as in 'feasible' (do-able) and 'counterfeit.'

Why It Means This

A legal term of art. Lawyers distinguish malfeasance (doing something outright wrongful), misfeasance (doing a lawful act improperly), and nonfeasance (failing to act). All three share the -feasance 'a doing' from fac.

Common Collocations

• 1.official malfeasance官员渎职
• 2.malfeasance in office任内渎职
• 3.corporate malfeasance企业不法行为

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The mayor faces charges of malfeasance in office.

• 2.

  An audit uncovered widespread financial malfeasance.