what is "malus"?

[Dogboy]

See it everywhere, but what is it? Thanks, DB

[Bwaha]

I don't understand. malus? sweet crab apples?

[archaeolept]

opposite of a 'bonus'; ie. a detrimental modification.

[Bwaha]

Thanks, I googled malus and the match was a fruit.

[Tifone]

Exactly what archaeolept said Examples of maluses in Dominions 3 are the spells: Spirit Curse, Curse, Seven Year Fever, Mist, Slime, Rain, Rust Mist, Destruction, Iron Bane, Demon Cleansing, Doom...

[Endoperez]

Originally Posted by Tifone

Exactly what archaeolept said Examples of maluses in Dominions 3 are the spells: Spirit Curse, Curse, Seven Year Fever, Mist, Slime, Rain, Rust Mist, Destruction, Iron Bane, Demon Cleansing, Doom...

Malus can be used like that, but I use the word "debuff" for those spells.

When I use the word, it's usually a decrease in a numerical ability: -1 to att/def from Limp is a malus.

[MaxWilson]

Sorry. It's not really an English word, it's a made-up word inferred from Latin. The English equivalent is actually "penalty," but geeks like me notice that "bonus" is Latin and feel like its opposite should also be Latin.

-Max

[Tifone]

Ehm... Max maybe I'm not understanding correctly but malus is actually a Latin word.

malus, mala, malum = adj. "bad"

( also - malus, mali = n. f. "apple tree" but you don't care I suppose )

[MaxWilson]

Originally Posted by Tifone

Ehm... Max maybe I'm not understanding correctly but malus is actually a Latin word.

malus, mala, malum = adj. "bad"

Yes, so it's the opposite of Latin "bonus" = "good." There's an English word "bonus" = "something extra or additional given freely; a free advantage" which is clearly derived from the Latin word "bonus." There is no English word "malus" with a similar parallel to the Latin malus, but we infer one (make one up) and use it in posts on these boards. The word doesn't actually exist in English, and the Latin word wouldn't, strictly speaking, make sense.

I agree with Gandalf. I love the fact that all the Hinnom/Ashdod/Gath names follow real Hebrew patterns (Qedestim/Qedesot, etc.).

-Max

[capnq]

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

There is no English word "malus" with a similar parallel to the Latin malus, but we infer one (make one up) and use it in posts on these boards. The word doesn't actually exist in English, and the Latin word wouldn't, strictly speaking, make sense.

I've seen the word used on other gaming boards, but never by someone whose first language was English (AFAIK).