## Etymology
From Middle English malicious, from Old French malicios, from Latin malitiōsus, from malitia (“malice”), from malus (“bad”). Displaced native Middle English ivelwilled and ivelwilly (“malicious”), related to Old English yfelwillende (literally “evil-willing”). By surface analysis, malice + -ious.

## AI Etymology
Malicious is from Middle English malicious, from Old French malicios, from Latin malitiōsus, from malitia (“malice”), from malus (“bad”). Displaced native Middle English ivelwilled and ivelwilly (“malicious”), related to Old English yfelwillende (literally “evil-willing”). By surface analysis, malice + -ious. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adjectival form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include malicious (Middle English), malicios (Old French), and malitiōsus (Latin). Current senses include intending to harm or hurt others; full of spite.

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- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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