Having or showing a wish to do evil to others — hostile, harmful by intent rather than accident.
From Latin malevolens (wishing ill), from male (badly) + volens (wishing), from velle (to wish). Same root as "volunteer" (one who wishes freely) and "benevolent" (wishing well). The wish is the same — only the direction changes.
Malevolent, benevolent, and volunteer all share the Latin root for "wishing." A volunteer wishes freely. Benevolence wishes well. Malevolence wishes harm. Three words, one verb, three entirely different moral universes — all defined by what you wish for others.
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