male branch ism

[For etym. see def.] Hist. & Philos .: A school of philosophy, so called from Nicholas Male bran che (1638-1715), a priest of the Oratory; occasionalism (q. v.). *măl-ě-di-çen-çý, s. [Lat. maledicent i a , from maledicens =maledicent (q. v.); O. Fr. maledicence ; Sp. & Port. maledicencia ; Ital. maldicenza .] The quality of being maledicent; the act or practice of using evil, reproachful, or abusive language; pronene to slander or abuse. "We are now to have a taste of the maledicency of Luther's spirit." -Atterbury: Character of Luther. *mal-e-di-çent, a. [Lat. maledicens , pr. par. of maledico to speak ill or badly; male =badly, and dico to say, to speak; Ital. maldicente ; Sp. maldiciente.] Speaking reproachfully; using reproachful or slanderous language. "Po e ed with so furious, so maledicent and so slov. enly spirits."- Sir E. Sandys: State of Religion.