Malefactor is a noun that refers to a person who does harm.
Our word of the day combines male (MOLL ay) the Latin word for ‘bad’ or ‘evil,’ with factor, which is derived from facare (fuh CHAIR ay) the Latin word for ‘do.’ In combination, we get a word that refers to ‘an evildoer.’
We don’t yet know who stole that money intended for the orphanage. But once identified, the malefactor will be punished to the full extent of the law.