- Today's Word
Malediction
mal-uh-DIK-shun
Definition
- (noun) A spoken curse or expression of evil intent.
Example
The witch uttered a malediction, condemning the land to darkness.
From Latin maledicere (to speak evil), maledictions are the opposite of blessings. They appear in myths, fairy tales, and religious texts—think of Sleeping Beauty’s cursed sleep, or the biblical plagues. While modern use is often metaphorical, the word still packs a dramatic punch.