bad, badde

& s. [Etymology doubtful. Prof. Zupitza with great probability sees in bad- de the Mid. Eng. reproduction of O. Eng. bæddel = a hermaphrodite; a uming a later adjectival use, and the lo of final l, as in mycel, muche. ( N.E.D. )] A. As adjective : The opposite of good ; a word of very general application, signifying whatever person or thing is so exceedingly inferior to the average of his or its cla as to require a positive word to expre the notable deficiency. L Of persons: 1. Morally depraved. "Thou may'st repent, And one bad act, with th many deeds well done, May'st cover."- Milton . 2. Very inferior in intellectual characteristics, as in skill, knowledge, . "In every age there will be twenty bad writers to one good one; and every bad writer will think himself a good one. "-Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. xxiv. 3. With marked physical defects. *4. Sick. (Followed by of .) "Bad of a fever."-Johnson. IL. Of things : IMG:content-0990.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-0991.png:[blocks in formation] Crabb thus distinguishes between bad , wicked, and evil. Bad respects moral and physical qualities in general; wicked , only moral qualities; evil , in its full extent, comprehends both badne and wickedne . Whatever offends the taste and sentiments of a rational being is bad e.g., bad food, bad air, bad books. Whatever is wicked offends the moral principles of a rational agent: e.g., any violation of the law is wicked ; an act of injustice or cruelty is wicked -it opposes the will of God and the feelings of humanity. Evil is either moral or natural, and applicable to every object contrary to good; but used only for what is in the highest degree bad or wicked. When used in relation to persons, bad is more general than wicked ; a bad man is one who generally neglects his duty; a wicked man one chargeable with actual violations of the law, human or Divine-such an one has an evil mind. A bad character is the consequence of immoral conduct; but no man has the character of being wicked who has not been guilty of some known and flagrant vices: the inclinations of the best are evil at certain times. ( Crabb : Eng. Synon.) To be in bad bread: 1. To be in nece itous circumstances in regard to the means of sustenance. ( Scotch .) (Jamie son.) 2. To be in a state of danger. bad-hearted, a. Having a bad heart; having bad hearts. his low-minded and bad - hearted foes." Macaulay : Hist . Eng . , ch. xxiv. * băd, pret. of verb. [BADE.]