different between malign vs reproach

English

Etymology

From Old French maligne, from Latin malignus, from malus (“bad”) + genus (“sort, kind”). Compare benign.

Pronunciation

• enPR: m?-l?n', IPA^(key): /m??la?n/

Adjective

malign (comparative more malign, superlative most malign)

1. Evil or malignant in disposition, nature, intent or influence.
2. Malevolent.
   • 1891, Ambrose Bierce, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

     He was sure they [the stars] were arranged in some order which had a secret and malign significance.

3. (oncology) Malignant.
   • 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Seditions and Troubles

     malign ulcers

Antonyms

• benign

Related terms

• malignant

Translations

Verb

malign (third-person singular simple present maligns, present participle maligning, simple past and past participle maligned)

1. (transitive) To make defamatory statements about; to slander or traduce.
   • To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing, and to be despised falling.

2. (transitive, archaic) To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to wrong.

   • The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they will against private men, whom they malign by stealing their goods, or murdering them.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:defame

Translations

Anagrams

• Gilman, laming, lingam

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Latin malignus

Adjective

malign (masculine and feminine malign, neuter malignt, definite singular and plural maligne)

1. (medicine) malignant

References

• “malign” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
• “malign” in Det Norske Akademis ordbok (NAOB).

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

From Latin malignus

Adjective

malign (masculine and feminine malign, neuter malignt, definite singular and plural maligne)

1. (medicine) malignant

English

Etymology

Old French reprochier (Modern reprocher).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???p???t?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /???p?o?t?/
• Rhymes: -??t?

Noun

reproach (countable and uncountable, plural reproaches)

1. A mild rebuke, or an implied criticism.
2. Disgrace or shame.
3. (countable) An object of scorn.

Synonyms

• obloquy, opprobrium

Translations

Verb

reproach (third-person singular simple present reproaches, present participle reproaching, simple past and past participle reproached)

1. (transitive) To criticize or rebuke (someone).

   • if ye be reproached for the name of Christ

   • Mezentius […] with his ardour warmed / His fainting friends, reproached their shameful flight, / Repelled the victors.

2. (transitive) To disgrace, or bring shame upon.

Synonyms

• (to criticize or rebuke): blame, rebuke, upbraid
• (to disgrace): disgrace, dishonor
• See also Thesaurus:reprehend

Derived terms

• beyond reproach
• reproachful
• reproachable

Translations