How Do You Spell MALEFICENCE?

Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ɪlfɪsəns] (IPA)

Maleficence (/məˈlɛfəsəns/) is the quality or state of being wicked or malevolent. The word is a combination of the Latin word "maleficus" (meaning "wicked") and the suffix "-ence" (denoting a state or quality). The pronunciation of the word is "muh-lef-uh-suhns," with the emphasis on the second syllable. The "c" in "maleficence" is pronounced as an "s" sound, as opposed to a "k" sound that is typical of words like "cat" or "coat."

MALEFICENCE Meaning and Definition

1. Maleficence is a noun derived from the Latin term "maleficentia," meaning an act or state of malicious intent or causing harm. It refers to the deliberate or intentional infliction of harm, injury, or suffering upon others, often driven by ill will, wickedness, or a desire to cause pain and distress.

   In the realm of ethics and healthcare, maleficence refers to actions or behaviors that violate the fundamental principles of beneficence, which emphasize the duty to act in the best interests of others and promote their well-being. It is the opposite of beneficence, which seeks to do good. Maleficence can manifest in various ways, such as when a healthcare professional intentionally administers a harmful treatment or withholds beneficial care that could alleviate suffering or improve the patient's health.

   Maleficence is a concept that can be found across various philosophical, ethical, and legal frameworks, as it addresses the accountability and responsibility of individuals in their actions towards others. It is often considered morally reprehensible and can have serious consequences under legal systems, as it involves intentionally causing harm or injury without justifiable cause. The concept of maleficence serves as a reference point for ethical debates and discussions surrounding professional conduct and the balancing of obligations towards individuals and the wider community.

Top Common Misspellings for MALEFICENCE *

• malificence 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MALEFICENCE

• maleficience
• naleficence
• kaleficence
• jaleficence
• mzleficence
• msleficence
• mwleficence
• mqleficence
• makeficence
• malefficience
• Malefacience
• Maleficiance
• nonmalficence
• Malefecance
• manaficence
• maleeficense
• Maleficente
• Maleffience

Etymology of MALEFICENCE

The word "maleficence" is derived from the Latin term "maleficentia", which is a combination of two Latin words: "male" meaning "bad" or "evil", and "facere" meaning "to do" or "to make". Therefore, "maleficentia" originally meant "to do evil" or "to cause harm". Over time, the word was adopted into English as "maleficence", retaining the same meaning of harmful or evil actions.

Similar spelling word for MALEFICENCE

• maleficent.

Plural form of MALEFICENCE is MALEFICENCES