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malady

malady

15 7.9
An illness that affects the body or mind
  • noun
  • /ˈmæl.ə.di/
: enfermedad
  • To my knowledge, however, no instances of animal contraction of the mysterious malady have ever been verified.
  • fatal malady
  • various maladies
  • physical maladies

I've had a weird collection of annoying maladies.

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Examples

  • The questions are meant to identify the malady, to diagnose, and to heal.

    Academic text (1993)
  • There are so many sick of unknown maladies in these parts, I fear a general plague.

  • In fact, I, too, have been taken by this malady called love.

  • Later, I made up a story that she had died from some malady.

  • Oh, its fruit is said to cure every malady known to man.

  • The first time Baako experiences his malady, he is in the United States.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I know people cursed with that malady.

  • How far advanced is our grandson's malady?

  • Based on this insight, he began seeking the specific causes of various maladies and conditions.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Many people suffer from a malady that affects their mental health.

Synonyms

disease
vsmalady
∞ 2.3

An illness that harms the body or mind and causes symptoms

is more general, applying to any medical condition of body or mind
illness
vsmalady
693 1.1

A time when a person is sick and cannot do normal things

means the same but is slightly more formal in writing
disorder
vsmalady
  • Specialized
449 4.3

A health condition in which the body or mind do not work normally

is the broader term covering many medical problems generally
sickness
vsmalady
103 1.0

A time when your body is not healthy

is the medical term for a condition rather than just the state
ailment
vsmalady
63 3.4

A small illness that often lasts a long time

covers conditions of any severity, not only minor or chronic ones
malaise
vsmalady
21 8.1

A general feeling of being unwell, uncomfortable, or lacking energy, often without a clear reason

refers to an identifiable medical condition rather than a vague feeling
unwellness
vsmalady
8.1

A time when a person feels sick or has health problems

is a formal term for a medical condition rather than a mere feeling

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

The condition of a person's body and mind, especially being free from illness or injury

52 3.2

Good physical and mental health that people try to keep

How Serious

disease
∞ 2.3
malady
15 7.9
illness
693 1.1
ailment
63 3.4

Surface Forms

malady singular
maladies plural

Etymology

Malady comes from an old phrase meaning 'bad condition'. The mal- part means 'bad', the same mal- you see in malfunction and malnutrition, so a malady is a bad condition of the body or mind.