Malignments

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An instance or condition of being harmful and causing injury, often referring to negative influences on health or well-being
2. A state characterized by causing or indicating ill will or malevolence, especially in relation to physical or social situations
3. A type of medical or psychological issue that signifies adverse effects, usually indicating problematic or ominous circumstances

Etymology: "Malignments" is simply the plural of "malignment," a noun formed from the verb "malign" plus the suffix "-ment." The verb "malign" came into English from Old French "malignier," which in turn came from Latin "malignari," meaning to act maliciously, from "malignus," ill-disposed or ill-natured. The Latin root combines "male," badly, with a stem related to "gignere," to produce, so the original sense was something produced in a bad way. The suffix "-ment" is a common English ending, borrowed through Old French from Latin "-mentum," that turns a verb into a noun naming an action, a result, or a state. Attaching it to "malign" yields a noun for the result of maligning, a bad effect or a harmful condition. The plural form simply reflects multiple such effects or conditions.

Synonyms: malformations, illnesses, tumors, cancers, diseases

Antonyms: health, wellness, goodness, benefits, virtues