\Ma*li"cious\, a. [Of. malicius, F. malicieux, fr. L.
malitiosus. See {Malice}.]
1. Indulging or exercising malice; harboring ill will or
   enmity.
         I grant him bloody, . . . Sudden, malicious,
         smacking of every sin That has a name. --Shak.
2. Proceeding from hatred or ill will; dictated by malice;
   as, a malicious report; malicious mischief.
3. (Law)With wicked or mischievous intentions or motives;
   wrongful and done intentionally without just cause or
   excuse; as, a malicious act.
{Malicious abandonment}, the desertion of a wife or husband
   without just cause. --Burrill.
{Malicious mischief} (Law), malicious injury to the property
   of another; -- an offense at common law. --Wharton.
{Malicious prosecution} or {arrest} (Law), a wanton
   prosecution or arrest, by regular process in a civil or
   criminal proceeding, without probable cause. --Bouvier.
Syn: Ill-disposed; evil-minded; mischievous; envious;
     malevolent; invidious; spiteful; bitter; malignant;
     rancorous; malign. -- {Ma*li"cious*ly}, adv. --
     {Ma*li"cious*ness}, n.