malediction

What does “malediction” mean?

noun.a magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing about evil or destruction; a curse.

SAT Usage

malediction often appears in passages related to themes of magic, folklore, or moral dilemmas, emphasizing the power of language in shaping fate or invoking misfortune. It suggests a deliberate intent to harm, distinguishing it from similar terms like "curse," which can be more general and less tied to the concept of magical incantation.

Common Confusions

Malediction implies a specific magical intent to cause harm, while curse usually suggests a broader expression of ill will without the same emphasis on magical invocation.

Example Sentences

• She uttered a bitter malediction before slamming the door.

Word Parts: How to Remember “malediction”

Break “malediction” into its parts: mal- (bad, evil) + -dict- (say, speak). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: mal- bad, evil (Latin)
• Root: -dict- say, speak (Latin)