Hypertext Webster Gateway: "malediction"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Malediction \Mal`e*dic"tion\, n. [L. maledictio: cf. F.
mal['e]diction. See {Maledicent}.]
A proclaiming of evil against some one; a cursing;
imprecation; a curse or execration; -- opposed to
{benediction}.

No malediction falls from his tongue. --Longfellow.

Syn: Cursing; curse; execration; imprecation; denunciation;
anathema.

Usage: {Malediction}, {Curse}, {Imprecation}, {Execration}.
Malediction is the most general term, denoting bitter
reproach, or wishes and predictions of evil. Curse
implies the desire or threat of evil, declared upon
oath or in the most solemn manner. Imprecation is
literally the praying down of evil upon a person.
Execration is literally a putting under the ban of
excommunication, a curse which excludes from the
kingdom of God. In ordinary usage, the last three
words describe profane swearing, execration being the
strongest.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

malediction
n : calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves
as an insult); "he suffered the imprecations of the mob"
[syn: {imprecation}]


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