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maleficio

curse, hex

noun mah-leh-FEE-syoh Rare

Origin: Latin maleficium, from malus (bad) + facere (to do)

Also means

evil spell

Usage Note

Maleficio refers to a malicious spell or curse cast by a witch or sorcerer — it is stronger and more specifically supernatural than maldición (curse, damnation). The related adjective is maléfico (maleficent, evil), familiar from the Disney character name. It belongs to the register of folklore, fantasy, and magic.

Examples

"La bruja lanzó un maleficio sobre el pueblo."

Natural Translation

The witch cast a curse on the village.

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