A prefix in composition denoting
ill, or
evil, F.
male, adv., fr.
malus, bad, ill. In some words it has the form
male-, as in
malediction,
malevolent. See
Malice. [
1913 Webster]
" The form male- is chiefly used in cases where the malediction, malefactor, maleficent, etc. Where this is not the case, as in malfeasance or male-feasance, malformation or male-formation, etc., as also where the word to which it is prefixed commences with a vowel, as in maladministration, etc., the form mal is to be preferred, and is the one commonly employed."
[1913 Webster]