\Mal-\
A prefix in composition denoting ill,or evil, F. male, adv.,
fr. malus, bad, ill. In some words it has the form male-, as
in malediction, malevolent. See {Malice}.

Note: The formmale- is chiefly used in cases where the c,
      either alone or with other letters, is pronounced as a
      separate syllable, as in malediction, malefactor,
      maleficent, etc. Where this is not the case, as in
      malfeasance or male-feasance, malformation or
      male-formation, etc., as also where the word to which
      it is prefixed commences with a vowel, as in
      maladministration, etc., the form malis to be
      preferred, and is the one commonly employed.