malice /(măl"ĭs)/

mal·ice

malice

n.
  1. Enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; a spirit delighting in harm or misfortune to another; a disposition to injure another; a malignant design of evil.
    Envy, hatred, and malice are three distinct passions of the mind.
    — Ld. Holt.
  2. Any wicked or mischievous intention of the mind; a depraved inclination to mischief; an intention to vex, annoy, or injure another person, or to do a wrongful act without just cause or cause or excuse; a wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others; willfulness. (Law)
    Proud tyrants who maliciously destroy And ride o'er ruins with malignant joy.
    — Somerville.
    in some connections, malignity seems rather more pertinently applied to a radical depravity of nature, and malignancy to indications of this depravity, in temper and conduct in particular instances.
    — Cogan.

Phrases & Compounds

Malice aforethought
malice previously and deliberately entertained.

Malice

v. t.
  1. To regard with extreme ill will. [Obs.]