malefic

comparative more malefic · superlative most malefic

1. Having an evil or harmful influence; baleful.First known use 17th c.

   I would have liked to know whether he thought this was due to the climate, the diet, or simply malefic djinns.

   1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber, published 1992, page 96

   1 more example

   Wormwood [...] was associated with the rites of St. John's Eve, when a crown of the plant was made from its sprays for apotropaic purposes, to ward of malefic spirits.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 1

   Synonyms: evil, maleficent, malevolent, abandoned, arrant, bad, bad apple, bad seed

plural malefics

1. astrologyA malefic planet.

   In the previous condition of overcoming, it was notable that while the malefics could only maltreat by overcoming through a superior sign-based square, the benefics could bonify by overcoming through a superior square or trine.

   2017, Chris Brennan, Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune, page 471

   Antonyms: benefic