malignant
Definitions
(Of a tumour) cancerous, growing uncontrollably and able to spread
（肿瘤）恶性的，危及生命的
Harmful, malevolent; actively wishing or doing evil
有害的，恶毒的；心怀恶意的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedmal- ('bad') + ign (from gen- 'born, produced') + -ant = 'born bad.' It is the exact mirror of benign ('born good'). In medicine a malignant tumour is one whose cells grow wild and invade — the dangerous kind. Beyond medicine, a malignant force is one that actively breeds harm.
Root gen still carries 140 more wordsWhy It Means This
The medical sense is the famous one, but the word's force comes from the 'born bad' image: something whose very nature is to grow and spread harm. That's why it works for both a tumour and a 'malignant rumor' or 'malignant narcissist' — in each case the harm isn't passive, it propagates.
Common Collocations
- 1.malignant tumor恶性肿瘤
- 2.malignant cells恶性细胞
- 3.malignant growth恶性增生
- 4.malignant melanoma恶性黑色素瘤
Example Sentences
- 1.
The biopsy confirmed the tumor was malignant.
- 2.
Doctors must distinguish malignant growths from benign ones.
- 3.
A malignant rumor can destroy a reputation overnight.
Easily Confused
malignant vs benign — the core medical pair: malignant (mal- 'bad') = cancerous, spreading, dangerous; benign (bene/ben 'good') = harmless, not spreading. If you remember malus = bad, you'll never mix them up.