"pertaining to or containing a curse," 1660s, from Latin maledictus, from maledicere "to speak badly or evil of, slander" (from male "badly;" see mal- + dicere "to say," from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly") + -ory.
maldistribution
Maldives
male
male chauvinist
malediction
maledictory
maleducation
malefaction
malefactor
malefic
maleficence