mălĕfĭcus (in MSS. also mălĭfĭ-cus), a, um, adj. [malefacio], evil-doing, nefarious, vicious, wicked, criminal.
I Lit.
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-fĭcus , i, m., an evil-doer, criminal : contra istoc detrudi maleficos Aequom videtur, Plaut. Trin. 2, 4, 150.—
B In partic., magical : artes, Vulg. 2 Par. 33, 6.—As substt .
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 mălĕfĭcum , i, n., a charm, means of enchantment : semusti cineres aliaque malefica, quis creditur anima numinibus inferis sacrari, Tac. A. 2, 69 fin. —
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.