Lewis & Short

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mălĕfĭcĭum, ĭi, n. [maleficus], an evil deed, misdeed, wickedness, offence, crime.

  1. I. Lit.
    1. A. In gen. (class.): ne conscii sint ipsi malefici suis, Plaut. Rud. 4, 7, 21: conscientia maleficiorum, Cic. Phil. 5, 6, 15: committere, admittere, to commit, id. Rosc. Am. 22, 62: exsilio multare, id. Caecin. 34, 100: supplicia pro maleficiis metuere, id. Rosc. Am. 3, 8.
    2. B. In partic. (mostly post-Aug.).
      1. 1. Fraud, deception, adulteration: me maleficio vinceres? Plaut. Truc. 2, 6, 20 Speng.; Quint. 7, 4, 36; Plin. 12, 25, 54, § 120.
      2. 2. Enchantment, sorcery, Tac. A. 2, 69 Orell. N. cr.; App. M. 9, p. 230, 24; 231, 28; cf. magica, id. Mag. p. 278, 21; Schol. Juv. 6, 595.
  2. II. Transf., mischief, hurt, harm, injury, wrong inflicted (acc. to maleficus, II.): pro maleficio beneficium reddere, Ter. Phorm. 2, 2, 22: ab injuria et maleficio se prohibere, Caes. B. G. 2, 28: sine ullo maleficio, id. ib. 1, 7; id. B. C. 2, 20: novis corrumperent maleficiis, Liv. 7, 20: maleficii occasione omissa, id. 9, 12 al.
    Hence, transf. (abstr. pro concr.), a noxious insect, vermin: ita non nasci maleficia, Plin. 18, 30, 73, § 308; 8, 59, 84, § 229; 20, 13, 51, § 133.

mălĕfĭcus (in MSS. also mălĭfĭ-cus), a, um, adj. [malefacio], evil-doing, nefarious, vicious, wicked, criminal.

  1. I. Lit.
    1. A. In gen. (class.): homo natura maleficus, et injustus, Cic. Tusc. 5, 20, 57: malefici sceleratique homines, id. Verr. 2, 5, 55, § 144: maleficentissimus, Suet. Galb. 15: mores malefici, Plaut. Cas. 4, 2, 4: malefica vita, Tac. A. 4, 21.
      As subst.: mălĕ-fĭous, i, m., an evil-doer, criminal: contra istoc detrudi maleficos Aequom videlur, Plaut. Trin. 2, 4, 150.
    2. B. In partic., magical: artes, Vulg. 2 Par. 33, 6.
      As substt.
      1. 1. mălĕfĭcus, i, m., a magician, enchanter: de maleficis et mathematicis, Cod. Just. 9, 18, 5: magi qui malefici vulgi consuetudine nuncupantur, ib. 9, 18, 7; Schol. Juv. 6, 594.
      2. 2. mălĕfĭcum, i, n., a charm, means of enchantment: semusti cineres aliaque malefica, quis creditur anima numinibus inferis sacrari, Tac. A. 2, 69 fin.
  2. II. Transf., hurtful, injurious, noxious, mischievous (only post-Aug.): Christiani, genus hominum superstitionis novae atque maleficae, Suet. Ner. 16: sidera, Plin. 7, 49, 50, § 160: vis, id. 33, 4, 25, § 84: bestia piscibus malefica, id. 9, 15, 20, § 50: caprae, maleficum frondibus animal, id. 12, 17, 37, § 73: natura, inimical, unpropitious, Nep. Ages. 8, 1: bestia, Amm. 28, 3, 4.
    Hence, adv.: mălĕfĭcē, mischievously: aliquid agere, Plaut. Ps. 4, 7, 113.