mălĕdictĭo, ōnis, f. [maledico],
- I. an evil-speaking, reviling, abuse (very rare): maledictio nihil habet propositi praeter contumeliam, Cic. Cael. 3, 6; Arn. 4, 147.
- II. Esp., the act of cursing, a curse, malediction (freq. in eccl. Lat.): alicui benedictionem et maledictionem proponere, Vulg. Deut. 30, 19: bonum pro maledictione, id. 2 Reg. 16, 12; id. Jer. 24, 9.