I.evil-doing, nefarious, vicious, wicked, criminal.
I. Lit.
A. In gen. (class.): “homo natura maleficus, et injustus,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 20, 57: “malefici sceleratique homines,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 55, § 144: “maleficentissimus,” Suet. Galb. 15: “mores malefici,” Plaut. Cas. 4, 2, 4: “malefica vita,” Tac. A. 4, 21.—As subst.: mălĕ-fĭous , i, m., an evil-doer, criminal: “contra istoc detrudi maleficos Aequom videlur,” Plaut. Trin. 2, 4, 150.—
B. In partic., magical: “artes,” Vulg. 2 Par. 33, 6.—As substt.
1. mălĕfĭcus , i, m., a magician, enchanter: “de maleficis et mathematicis,” Cod. Just. 9, 18, 5: “magi qui malefici vulgi consuetudine nuncupantur,” ib. 9, 18, 7; Schol. Juv. 6, 594.—
2. mălĕfĭcum , i, n., a charm, means of enchantment: “semusti cineres aliaque malefica, quis creditur anima numinibus inferis sacrari,” Tac. A. 2, 69 fin.—
II. Transf., hurtful, injurious, noxious, mischievous (only post-Aug.): “Christiani, genus hominum superstitionis novae atque maleficae,” Suet. Ner. 16: “sidera,” Plin. 7, 49, 50, § 160: “vis,” id. 33, 4, 25, § 84: “bestia piscibus malefica,” id. 9, 15, 20, § 50: “caprae, maleficum frondibus animal,” id. 12, 17, 37, § 73: “natura,” inimical, unpropitious, Nep. Ages. 8, 1: “bestia,” Amm. 28, 3, 4.— Hence, adv.: mălĕfĭcē , mischievously: “aliquid agere,” Plaut. Ps. 4, 7, 113.
