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An evil doer; one who commits a crime; one subject to public prosecution and punishment; a criminal.

A place of confinement for malefactors Shak. Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage. Lovelace.

commited a crime; especially, one who is found guilty by verdict, confession, or proof; a malefactor; a felon.

To drop from a high place upon sharp stakes or hooks, as the Turks dropped malefactors, by way of punishment. Ganching, which is to let fall from on high upon hooks, and there to hang until they die. Sandys.

kind of gallows; an upright post with an arm projecting from the top, on which, formerly, malefactors were hanged in chains, and their bodies allowed to remain asa warning.

strap, with or without a headstall, for leading or tying a horse. (b) A rope for hanging malefactors; a noose. Shak. No man e'er felt the halter draw With good opinion of the law. Trumbull.

sued, and which all who heard it were obliged to take up, joining in the pursuit till the malefactor was taken; in later usage, a written proclamation issued on the escape of a felon from prison, requiring all persons to aid in retaking him. Burrill.

To shackle with irons; to fetter or handcuff. "Ironed like a malefactor." Sir W. Scott.

A female malefactor. Hawthorne.

A thief who steals by means of a hook; also, a bailiff who hooks or seizes malefactors. Shak.

s as well as men; and thereafter to confine, imprison, and do sharpest justice on them as malefactors. Milton.