what is "malus"?

Dogboy · #1 December 13th, 2008, 12:38 AM

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

Bwaha · #2 December 13th, 2008, 01:05 AM

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

archaeolept · #3 December 13th, 2008, 01:42 AM

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

Bwaha · #4 December 13th, 2008, 01:48 AM

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

Tifone · #5 December 13th, 2008, 05:58 AM

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 · #6 December 13th, 2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

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 · #7 December 13th, 2008, 03:34 PM

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 · #8 December 13th, 2008, 03:58 PM

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

)

Gandalf Parker · #9 December 13th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Thats what we need in this game.
More Latin, and Sanskrit, and Celt!
(like there isnt a ton of it already)

Sometimes I feel like Ive learned more history and mythology from this game than I ever did in school.

MaxWilson · #10 December 13th, 2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

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