mălĕfĭcĭum, ĭi, n. [maleficus], an evil deed, misdeed, wickedness, offence, crime.
I Lit.
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.—
B In partic. (mostly post-Aug.).
1 Fraud, deception, adulteration : me maleficio vinceres? Plaut. Truc. 2, 6, 20 Speng.; Quint. 7, 4, 36; Plin. 12, 25, 54, § 120.—
2 Enchantment, sorcery , Tac. A. 2, 69 Orell. N. cr.; Ap. Met. 9, 29, 6; 9, 31, 8; cf. magica, id. Mag. p. 278, 21; Schol. Juv. 6, 595.—
II Transf., mischief, hurt, harm, injury, wrong inflicted (acc. to maleficus, II.): pro maleficio beneficium reddere, Ter. Phorm. 336: 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.