Mal"a*dy (?), n.; pl.
Maladies (#). [F. maladie, fr. malade
ill, sick, OF. also, malabde, fr. L. male habitus, i.
e., ill-kept, not in good condition. See Malice, and
Habit.] 1. Any disease of the human body;
a distemper, disorder, or indisposition, proceeding from impaired,
defective, or morbid organic functions; especially, a lingering or
deep-seated disorder.
The maladies of the body may prove medicines to
the mind.
Buckminster.
2. A moral or mental defect or
disorder.
Love's a malady without a cure.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Disorder; distemper; sickness; ailment; disease;
illness. See Disease.