Nefarious is a word that is commonly used in the English language. It is a term that is often used to describe someone or something that is wicked, evil or criminal in nature. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word nefarious as 'wicked or criminal in nature, or having evil intentions'.
Etymology of Nefarious
The word nefarious is derived from the Latin word 'nefarious', which means 'wicked' or 'abominable'. It is a combination of the words 'ne-‘, which means 'not', and 'fari', which means 'to speak'. Therefore, nefarious literally means 'not speaking well' or 'not speaking in a good way'. This suggests that the word was originally used to describe someone who was not able to speak well, and therefore was not able to negotiate or reason in a good way.
Usage of Nefarious in Literature
The word nefarious has been used in various literary works throughout history. For example, in Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth', the character Macbeth is described as a 'nefarious' character due to his evil and wicked deeds. Similarly, in the novel 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, the character of Count Dracula is described as a 'nefarious' character due to his evil and wicked nature.
Examples of Nefarious Behavior
There are many examples of nefarious behavior in the world today. Some examples include: theft, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, and corruption. These are all actions that are considered to be nefarious because they are criminal in nature and involve taking advantage of others for personal gain.
Nefarious vs Malicious
Although the words 'nefarious' and 'malicious' are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between the two. Nefarious refers specifically to actions that are wicked or criminal in nature, while malicious refers more broadly to actions that are intended to cause harm or injury to others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the word nefarious is a term that is commonly used in the English language to describe someone or something that is wicked, evil or criminal in nature. It is derived from the Latin word 'nefarious', which means 'wicked' or 'abominable'. The word has been used in various literary works throughout history and is often associated with criminal behavior such as theft, fraud, and corruption.