malice aforethought
The criminal intent which precedes a crime, especially murderThe criminal intent which precedes a crime, especially murder.
Meaning
1 senses(uncountable)The criminal intent which precedes a crime, especially murder.
(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials
Origin
Calque of Anglo-Norman malice prepensé (literally “forethought malice”).Calque of Anglo-Norman malice prepensé (literally “forethought malice”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Synonyms
3 synonymsClose in meaning
- (law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials:mens rea
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable