Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

maledictionmore about malediction

malediction

 

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




more about malediction