malignant
pronunciation
How to pronounce malignant in British English:
UK [məˈlɪɡnənt]
How to pronounce malignant in American English:
US [məˈlɪɡnənt]
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- Adjective:
- dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)
- extremely malevolent or malicious
Word Origin
- malignant (adj.)
- 1560s, in reference to diseases, from Middle French malignant and directly from Late Latin malignantem (nominative malignans) "acting from malice," present participle of malignare "injure maliciously" (see malign (v.)). Earlier in the church malignant "followers of the antichrist," from Latin ecclesiam malignantum in early Church writing, applied by Protestant writers to the Church in Rome (1540s). As an adjective, Middle English used simple malign (early 14c.). Related: Malignantly.
Antonym
Example
- 1. Malignant lymphoma in dogs closely resembles non-hodgkin 's lymphoma .
- 2. For decades doctors have attacked cancer with drugs that kill malignant cells .
- 3. The booklet criticises multi-party democracy as creating " malignant party struggle " .
- 4. Malignant mesothelioma is a life-threatening type of cancer commonly caused by exposure to asbestos .
- 5. Malignant tumors indicate often lethal brain conditions , but even nonmalignant growths can preempt normal brain activity .