malefactor
UK: ˈmælɪfæktə | US: ˈmæləˌfæktər
n. a person who commits a crime or does evil; a wrongdoer
malefactor = male<evil> + factor<doer>
- male (from Latin malus, meaning "evil" or "bad")
- factor (from Latin factor, meaning "doer" or "maker," derived from facere, "to do")
Etymology Origin:
The word malefactor traces back to Latin malefactor, combining male- (evil) and -factor (doer). It originally referred to someone who commits harmful or unlawful acts. The term retains its negative connotation in modern English, emphasizing intentional wrongdoing. The logic is straightforward: "evil" + "doer" = "one who does evil."
The judge sentenced the malefactor to ten years in prison.
History often remembers tyrants as notorious malefactors.
The community demanded justice for the malefactor’s crimes.
Despite his charming demeanor, he was a cunning malefactor.
The detective worked tirelessly to apprehend the malefactor.