malice
UK: ˈmælɪs | US: ˈmælɪs
n. the intention or desire to do evil or cause harm to others
n. (Law) wrongful intention, especially as increasing the guilt of certain offenses
The word "malice" traces back to Latin malitia, meaning "badness" or "ill will," from malus (bad). It entered Old French as malice before being adopted into Middle English. The suffix -ice (from Latin -itia) was commonly used to form abstract nouns denoting states or qualities, such as "justice" or "avarice." The core idea of "malice" has consistently revolved around intentional harm or evil intent, reflecting its Latin roots.
Her eyes burned with pure malice as she plotted revenge.
The crime was committed with malice aforethought.
He accused his opponent of spreading rumors out of malice.
There was no malice in her teasing; it was all in good fun.
The law distinguishes between harm caused by negligence and harm caused by malice.