I.an evil-speaking, reviling, abuse (very rare): “maledictio nihil habet propositi praeter contumeliam,” Cic. Cael. 3, 6; Arn. 4, 147. —
II. Esp., the act of cursing, a curse, malediction (freq. in eccl. Lat.): “alicui benedictionem et maledictionem proponere,” Vulg. Deut. 30, 19: “bonum pro maledictione,” id. 2 Reg. 16, 12; id. Jer. 24, 9.