malefactress

A malefactress hides a stolen necklace in her cloak.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A female malefactor; a woman who commits a crime, wrongdoing, or evil deed.

Usage Examples

• (A woman who committed a serious crime.)
• (A female figure who performs evil acts.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a malefactress": to be a woman who habitually engages in harmful or illegal activities.
  • She was known as a malefactress in the underworld, orchestrating thefts and scams. (She was a female criminal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Malefactor (n): a person who commits a crime or some other wrong. (The gender-neutral or male form.)
  • The malefactor was caught and brought to justice. (The criminal, regardless of gender.)
• Malefaction (n): an evil deed or crime.
  • His malefaction shocked the entire community. (His wrongdoing.)
• Malevolent (adj): having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
  • The malevolent glare of the malefactress made everyone uneasy. (Wishing harm.)

Synonyms

• Criminal: a person who has committed a crime.
• Wrongdoer: a person who acts immorally or illegally.
• Evildoer: a person who does evil or wicked things.
• Villainess: a female villain (often in fiction).

Related Idioms

• "A wolf in sheep's clothing": someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or evil.
  • The malefactress posed as a charity worker, but she was a wolf in sheep's clothing. (She hid her evil nature.)
• "The hand that rocks the cradle": a reference to a mother's influence, sometimes used ironically for a female malefactress who corrupts.
  • The malefactress used her maternal role to manipulate her children into crime. (She abused her position.)

Note: "Malefactress" is a rare, archaic, or formal term. It is more commonly seen in historical or legal contexts, or in literature. The modern equivalent is simply "female criminal" or "woman who commits a crime."