Malevolences

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The qualities or characteristics associated with intense ill will or harmful intent directed towards others
2. Actions or behaviors that arise from a desire to cause harm or suffering to individuals or groups
3. Manifestations of spitefulness and malice that seek to inflict injury or distress on others

Etymology: "Malevolences" is simply the plural of "malevolence," so it names several instances or kinds of that quality. The singular goes back to Latin "malevolentia," a compound of "male," meaning "badly" or "ill," and "volens," the present participle of "velle," "to wish" or "to will." Literally, then, a malevolent person is one who wishes ill, and the same root gives us "benevolent," which wishes good. The Latin noun passed into English through Middle French "malevolence," where it kept the sense of deliberate ill will. English took the word from that French form, so the plural here is an ordinary English formation rather than a Latin one. The "male" element is the same prefix that appears in "malady" and "malice," all tracing back to the idea of something done badly or wrongly.

Synonyms: malice, spite, malevolence

Antonyms: benevolence, goodwill