ma·lef·i·cence \məˈlefəsən(t)s\noun (-s) Etymology: Italian maleficenza, from Latin maleficentia, from maleficus + -entia -ence 1. a.: the commission of harm or evil : evildoing < the punishment of maleficence > b.: a harmful or evil act < guilty of more than one maleficence > 2.: the quality or state of being maleficent < recognized the maleficence of the plan >