Definition of malicious

The word "malicious" originated from the Latin adjective "maliciousus," which means "ill-willed" or "having a bad intent." The Latin root "mal" (meaning "bad" or "evil") and "licius" (meaning "easy" or "prone to") join to form "maliciousus." The first recorded use of the word in the English language was in the late 14th century. It originally referred to someone who was willingly and intentionally malevolent or mischievous. Over time, the meaning has evolved slightly, and today "malicious" generally refers to someone who deliberately causes harm or damage, often through deceitful or underhanded means. In legal contexts, "malicious" is sometimes used as a synonym for "malicious prosecution," which describes a situation where someone initiates or continues a legal action without any reasonable basis or justification. This type of behavior is seen as malicious because it abuses the legal process for personal gain or spite, and can result in sanctions or other penalties on the offender.