ma·li·cious \məˈlishəs\adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old French malicius, from Latin malitiosus, from malitia malice + -osus -ose : given to, marked by, or arising from malice < took a malicious pleasure in emphasizing this point and in watching me wince — Rudyard Kipling > • ma·li·cious·lyadverb • ma·li·cious·nessnoun-es