malice aforethought

Từ điển WordNet v3.1 - WordNet Dictionary

noun

(law) criminal intent;
the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal);
often at issue in murder trials
• Syn:
mens rea
• Topics:
law, jurisprudence
• Hypernyms:
planning, preparation, provision
• Hyponyms:
premeditation