Ma*lig"nance (?), Ma*lig"nan*cy , n. [See Malignant.]
1.
The state or quality of being malignant; extreme malevolence; bitter enmity; malice; as, malignancy of heart.
2.
Unfavorableness; evil nature.
The malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemner yours.
Shak.
3. Med.
Virulence; tendency to a fatal issue; as, the malignancy of an ulcer or of a fever.
4.
The state of being a malignant.
Syn. -- Malice; malevolence; malignity. See Malice.
© Webster 1913.