maledictio
[ma.ɫɛˈdɪk.ti.oː]
The English phrase 'curse' is translated into Latin as maledictio.
maledictio is used to refer to the act of using offensive language or a curse.
Meaning: to use offensive language (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from male (badly) and dicere (to speak), literally meaning 'a bad speaking' or 'a speaking against'.
Which one should you use?
While maledictio refers to a curse, its direct antonym is benedictio, which means a blessing.
Did you know?
- Ancient Romans wrote physical curses on lead tablets called defixiones and buried them in the ground to ensure the maledictio reached the underworld.
- While maledictio describes the act of cursing, the Romans used the verb execror to describe a more intense, ritualistic form of cursing that involves calling upon the gods.
- In early Christian Latin, maledictio took on a heavy theological weight, often describing the eternal condemnation of a soul rather than a simple spoken insult.
Examples in context
- Ad quem mater: In me sit, ait, ista maledictio, fili mi, tantum audi vocem meam et perge afferque, quæ dixi.And his mother said to him: Upon me be this curse, my son: only hear thou my voice, and go, fetch me the things which I have said.This sentence uses maledictio in a mother's speech to her son.Tatoeba #7808005 by carlosalberto, translation #7867938 by carlosalberto
- Cui ille respondit: Nosti quod Esau frater meus homo pilosus sit, et ego lenis. Si attrectaverit me pater meus et senserit, timeo, ne putet me sibi voluisse illudere, et inducam super me maledictionem pro benedictione.And he answered her: Thou knowest that Esau, my brother, is a hairy man, and I am smooth: if my father should feel me, and perceive it, I fear lest he will think I would have mocked him, and I shall bring upon me a curse instead of a blessing.This sentence shows how someone might fear bringing a maledictio upon themselves instead of a blessing.Tatoeba #7807687 by carlosalberto, translation #7867935 by carlosalberto
- Dominus, ait, in cuius conspectu ambulo, mittet angelum suum tecum et diriget viam tuam, accipiesque uxorem filio meo de cognatione mea et de domo patris mei. Innocens eris a maledictione mea, cum veneris ad propinquos meos, et non dederint tibi, tunc innocens eris a maledictione mea.The Lord, said he, in whose sight I walk, will send his angel with thee, and will direct thy way: and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my own kindred, and of my father's house. But thou shalt be clear from my curse, when thou shalt come to my kindred, if they will not give thee one.This sentence demonstrates the phrase 'innocens eris a maledictione mea' regarding being clear from a curse.Tatoeba #7793245 by carlosalberto, translation #7867768 by carlosalberto
- Detestor te et omnes actus tuos.I curse you and all your actions.
- Haec res est anathema.This thing is a curse.
- Vae tibi!Woe to you!
Example conversation
Julia and Gaius are arguing during a walk.
- JuliaCur ista maledictio super me?Why is this curse upon me?
- GaiusNon est maledictio, sed veritas.It is not a curse, but the truth.
- JuliaTu semper maledictis uteris.You always use curses.
- GaiusTace, Iulia, et ambula.Be quiet, Julia, and walk.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maledictio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
