malfeasance

[ mal-fee-zuh ns ]
/ mælˈfi zəns /

noun Law.

the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of a public trust). Compare misfeasance(def 2), nonfeasance.

Origin of malfeasance

1690–1700; earlier malefeasance. See male-, feasance

OTHER WORDS FROM malfeasance

mal·fea·sant, adjective, noun

Words nearby malfeasance

malentendu, maleruption, malevich, malevolence, malevolent, malfeasance, malformation, malformed, malfunction, malgaigne's luxation, malgré lui

British Dictionary definitions for malfeasant

malfeasance
/ (mælˈfiːzəns) /

noun

law the doing of a wrongful or illegal act, esp by a public official Compare misfeasance, nonfeasance

Derived forms of malfeasance

malfeasant, noun, adjective

Word Origin for malfeasance

C17: from Old French mal faisant, from mal evil + faisant doing, from faire to do, from Latin facere