51Թ

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malice aforethought

noun

Law.
  1. a predetermination to commit an unlawful act without just cause or provocation (applied chiefly to cases of first-degree murder).


malice aforethought

noun

  1. the predetermination to do an unlawful act, esp to kill or seriously injure
  2. the intent with which an unlawful killing is effected, which must be proved for the crime to constitute murder See also murder manslaughter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of malice aforethought1

First recorded in 1660–70
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Capote had no doubt that Ann — “Mrs. Bang Bang,” he once called her to her face — had offed her husband with malice aforethought, but in Montillo’s telling the evidence is less than clear-cut.

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The legal definition — and I might actually slaughter this a little myself — the legal definition of manslaughter is killing a human being without malice aforethought.

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Three weeks ago, I wrote here about "Seven Days in June," a right-wing coup carried out without violence, but with considerable malice aforethought by the Supreme Court in the final week of its term.

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Although its sting can induce swelling, excruciating pain and sometimes deadly allergic reactions, the northern giant hornet is not aggressive toward humans — and it’s unlikely that any could have “malice aforethought” in related fatalities.

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He has demonstrated malice aforethought of and is criminally responsible for the coup and its accompanying violence.

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