Mal"a*dy (?), n.; pl. Maladies (#). [F. maladie, fr. malade ill, sick, OF. also, malabde, fr. L. male habitus, i. e., ill-kept, not in good condition. See Malice, and Habit.]

1.

Any disease of the human body; a distemper, disorder, or indisposition, proceeding from impaired, defective, or morbid organic functions; especially, a lingering or deep-seated disorder.

The maladies of the body may prove medicines to the mind. Buckminster.

2.

A moral or mental defect or disorder.

Love's a malady without a cure. Dryden.

Syn. -- Disorder; distemper; sickness; ailment; disease; illness. See Disease.

 

© Webster 1913.