mal·a·dive \ˈmalədiv\adjective Etymology: Middle French maladif, from Old French, from malade sick + -if -ive 1.: of, relating to, or affected by illness or disease : sickly, feeble < a maladive condition > < her maladive step > 2.: marked by or expressive of moral weakness or unwholesomeness < a maladive apology > < maladive poetry >