“… and saw the fire grow; and, as it grew darker, appeared more and more, and in corners and

Question

“… and saw the fire grow; and, as it grew darker, appeared more and more, and in corners and

upon steeples, as far as we could see up the hill of the city, in a most horrid malicious bloody
flame, not like the fine flame of an ordinary fire.

Which of these is nearest in meaning to the word malicious, as it is used in the passage above?

broadening
harmful
nurturing
balanced

Answer 1

The word "malicious" in the passage above means having a strong desire to cause harm or suffering. Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "malicious" is "harmful."

“… and saw the fire grow; and, as it grew darker, appeared more and more, and in corners and

Harmful.

The word "malicious" in the passage above means having a strong desire to cause harm or suffering. Therefore, the word that is nearest in meaning to "malicious" is "harmful."