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mălĕfĭcĭum , ĭi, n. maleficus,
I.an evil deed, misdeed, wickedness, offence, crime.
I. Lit.
A. In gen. (class.): “ne conscii sint ipsi malefici suis,” Plaut. Rud. 4, 7, 21: “conscientia maleficiorum,” Cic. Phil. 5, 6, 15: “committere, admittere,” to commit, id. Rosc. Am. 22, 62: “exsilio multare,” id. Caecin. 34, 100: “supplicia pro maleficiis metuere,” id. Rosc. Am. 3, 8.—
B. In partic. (mostly post-Aug.).
1. Fraud, deception, adulteration: “me maleficio vinceres?” Plaut. Truc. 2, 6, 20 Speng.; Quint. 7, 4, 36; Plin. 12, 25, 54, § 120.—
2. Enchantment, sorcery, Tac. A. 2, 69 Orell. N. cr.; App. M. 9, p. 230, 24; 231, 28; cf. “magica,” id. Mag. p. 278, 21; Schol. Juv. 6, 595.—
II. Transf., mischief, hurt, harm, injury, wrong inflicted (acc. to maleficus, II.): “pro maleficio beneficium reddere,” Ter. Phorm. 2, 2, 22: “ab injuria et maleficio se prohibere,” Caes. B. G. 2, 28: “sine ullo maleficio,” id. ib. 1, 7; id. B. C. 2, 20: “novis corrumperent maleficiis,” Liv. 7, 20: “maleficii occasione omissa,” id. 9, 12 al. —Hence, transf. (abstr. pro concr.), a noxious insect, vermin: “ita non nasci maleficia,” Plin. 18, 30, 73, § 308; 8, 59, 84, § 229; 20, 13, 51, § 133.
A Latin Dictionary. Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary. revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by. Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879.

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hide References (12 total)
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries from this page (12):
    • Caesar, Gallic War, 2.28
    • Cicero, For Sextus Roscius of Ameria, 3.8
    • Cicero, For Sextus Roscius of Ameria, 22.62
    • Cicero, For Aulus Caecina, 34.100
    • Cicero, Philippics, 5.6.15
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 9, 12
    • Plautus, Truculentus, 2.6
    • Caesar, Civil War, 2.20
    • Tacitus, Annales, 2.69
    • Plautus, Rudens, 4.7
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 7, 20
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 7, 4.36
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