8:11 PM >> The M Word

mal·a·dy n. pl. mal·a·dies
A disease, a disorder, or an ailment.
An unwholesome condition: the malady of discontent.
malady

\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.

malady

n 1: any unwholesome or desperate condition; "what maladies afflict our nation?" 2: impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism [syn: illness, unwellness, sickness] [ant: health]