*malicious*

a. [ Of. malicius, F. malicieux, fr. L. malitiosus. See Malice. ] 1. Indulging or exercising malice; harboring ill will or enmity. [ 1913 Webster ]

I grant him bloody, . . .
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Proceeding from hatred or ill will; dictated by malice; as, a malicious report; malicious mischief. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) With wicked or mischievous intentions or motives; wrongful and done intentionally without just cause or excuse; as, a malicious act. [ 1913 Webster ]

Malicious abandonment, the desertion of a wife or husband without just cause. Burrill. --
Malicious prosecution or
Malicious arrest (Law), a wanton prosecution or arrest, by regular process in a civil or criminal proceeding, without probable cause. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Ill-disposed; evil-minded; mischievous; envious; malevolent; invidious; spiteful; bitter; malignant; rancorous; malign. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Ma*li"cious*ly, adv. -- Ma*li"cious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]