noun

malediction

mal-uh-DIK-shun/ˌmæləˈdɪkʃən/

A spoken wish that harm will happen to someone.

The robed figure utters a malediction against the intact rose.

Malediction, spoken curse: a theatrical robed adult figure speaks a dark pictorial speech cloud containing a wilted rose toward an intact potted rose; symbolic wish of misfortune, no actual injury, no words.

Etymology

maleLatinbadly

+dicLatinto say

+tionLatinaction

The pieces express an act of speaking evil. The Latin noun meant slander or speaking ill of someone before also meaning a curse: harmful speech directed against another.

In context

Tenebrix1:04

this is the story of how one clan inherited an ancient malediction a curse that would shape their fate twist their fortunes and forever mark them as bearers of an Unholy burden

Twilight Curse in the Whispering Village: The Ancient Malediction That Doomed a Family Lineage

More examples

She mutters a malediction, wishing ruin on the thief.
The prisoner shouts maledictions at the guards as they leave.
In the story, a witch's malediction condemns the prince to endless wandering.

Forms

malediction · maledictions

Similar words

curse: The everyday alternative; can also mean profanity or supernatural harm.
imprecation: Similarly formal, often emphasizing an appeal to divine punishment.