\Ma*lign"\, a. [L. malignus, for maligenus, i. e., of a
bad kind or nature; malus bad + the root of genus birth,
race, kind: cf. F. malin, masc., maligne, fem. See {Malice},
{Gender}, and cf. {Benign}, {Malignant}.]
1. Having an evil disposition toward others; harboring
   violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; --
   opposed to {benign}.

         Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.
                                               --Bacon.

2. Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure;
   as, a malign aspect of planets.

3. Malignant; as, a malign ulcer. [R.] --Bacon.

\Ma*lign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maligned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Maligning}.] [Cf. L. malignare. See {Malign}, a.]
To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to
wrong; to injure. [Obs.]

      The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they
      will against private men, whom they malign by stealing
      their goods, or murdering them.          --Spenser.

2. To speak great evil of; to traduce; to defame; to slander;
   to vilify; to asperse.

         To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing,
         and to be despised falling.           --South.

\Ma*lign"\, v. i.
To entertain malice. [Obs.]