CultureJuly 15, 2026

malady

/ˈmælədi/

Definition

A physical or mental ailment, disease, or deeply rooted problem.

Etymology

Derived from the Old French word 'maladie,' which comes from 'malade' (sick). It ultimately traces back to the Latin 'male habitus,' meaning 'in bad condition' or 'ill-conditioned.'

In the news

The word appears in the title of a memoir, 'The Factory of Maladies,' used to describe the profound and systemic struggles of life within a psychiatric ward.

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