maligno

Maligno is an adjective in Spanish that denotes something harmful, dangerous, or morally evil. It can describe a person, a force, an illness, or an effect that is intended to cause harm. The adjective has gender and number agreement: maligno (masculine singular), maligna (feminine singular), malignos, malignas (plural).

In medicine, maligno is used to designate malignant tumors and cancers—neoplasms that invade surrounding tissue and have the potential to metastasize. This contrasts with benigno, which refers to non-cancerous growths. The term appears in clinical phrases such as tumor maligno or cáncer maligno, where prognostic and treatment implications depend on the specific disease.

Etymology is rooted in Latin malignus, from malus “bad.” The sense combines moral or physical harm with harmful biological behavior in medical contexts.

Cultural and linguistic usage extends beyond medicine. In theology and literature, el maligno is a term used to denote the devil or other malevolent beings. In everyday language, maligno can describe pernicious ideas, plans, or influences that are considered harmful or dangerous.

Cross-linguistically, closely related terms appear in other Romance languages, such as Italian maligno and Portuguese maligno, which share similar meanings of harmful, evil, or dangerous. In English, the equivalent term is malignant, while the Spanish form remains a versatile descriptor across medical, ethical, and cultural contexts.