malus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malus" is not correct or usable in written English as it stands.
It is a Latin term that means "bad" or "evil," but it is not commonly used in contemporary English writing without context. Example: "The malus of his actions was evident in the consequences that followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

According to Joe Brannen of the Georgia Bankers Association, Georgians have "more affection for community banking" than people elsewhere.In this section The very model of a modern central banker A fair share Sweaty days Ça fait malus Another great leap Follow the money Jackson's Holes ReprintsMany of these community banks became overextended during the state's economic boom.

The Economist

But net outflows of funds at the Swiss bank's private-banking division doubled from the previous quarter, spurred by withdrawals from clients to pay authorities in an Italian tax amnesty.UBS's SFr2.7 billion ($2.5 billion) loss for the year activated its malus (Latin for "bad") system of accordingly reducing an executive's bonus ("good").

The Economist

The notion of a "malus", or a negative bonus, when performance dips may make classicists groan but is surely fair in principle.

The Economist

But it also leads the growth in sales of actual apples (a spherical, pomaceous fruit; species Malus domestica).

The Economist

Cedar-apple rust, plant disease that primarily affects eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and various apple and crabapple species (genus Malus) in North America and that is caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The genome of the apple (Malus domestica) was decoded by researchers from Italy, France, New Zealand, Belgium, and the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr Sarkozy dubbed a new scheme, under which traders may forgo bonuses depending on banks' overall performance, a bonus-malus system.

The Economist

Having these models was worse than having no model at all, "like a pilot flying over the Himalayas but having a map of Saudi Arabia .Taleb's answer was to have maluses as well as bonuses, that traders and executives have to be penalised for making mistakes.

The Economist

Swiss bank UBS, the biggest continental European casualty of the credit crunch, has devised a novel "bonus-malus" system under which bonuses for the top executives are held back to discourage risk taking.

The Guardian - Business

The bonus/malus structure introduced by UBS in 2008, whereby a cash portion of a bonus award is held back at the end of a financial year and reduced if targets are not met in subsequent years, will also become more common as institutions seek to track and reward the performance of senior managers over time.Some banks will be more sophisticated still.

The Economist

The golden-fruited crab, Malus Golden Hornet'', usually has outstanding architecture, its intricate scaffolding of twiggy branches adorned by a plethora of small, amber apples, but presently the picture is marred by a congested clump of Clematis 'Huldine'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If referring to the genus of apple trees, clarify the botanical context to avoid confusion with its financial meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "malus" in general negative contexts; it specifically applies to clawbacks or penalties related to prior compensation or performance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "malus" is as a noun. It refers either to a penalty or clawback in a financial context or to the genus of apple trees in a botanical context. As Ludwig AI pointed out, depending on the usage, it can have different implications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

29%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Social Media

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malus" is a word with distinct meanings depending on the context. As Ludwig AI highlights, it can refer to a penalty or clawback in finance, or the genus of apple trees in botany. It is grammatically correct but more common in formal settings, such as news, encyclopedias, and business documents. When writing, consider whether you mean a financial penalty, in which case terms like "clawback provision" may be suitable, or the botanical classification, where "genus Malus" is precise. The term's formality level should also be kept in mind, as more common words may work better with a less formal target.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clawback provision

Specifically concerns the recovery of funds already disbursed, closely related to the financial "malus".

performance penalty

Directly links the "malus" to poor performance, emphasizing the financial consequence of not meeting targets.

penalty clause

Refers to a specific term in a contract outlining consequences for non-performance, narrower than "malus".

downside

Refers to the negative aspect of something, akin to the negative consequence implied by "malus".

drawback

Indicates a negative aspect or disadvantage, a more general term than the specific financial meaning of "malus".

disadvantage

Highlights a negative consequence or unfavorable condition, similar to the effect of a "malus".

negative incentive

Describes something that discourages a particular behavior, highlighting the deterrent aspect of "malus".

detriment

Implies harm or damage, a broader concept than the specific financial or performance-related context of "malus".

genus Malus

Specifically refers to the taxonomic classification of apple and crabapple trees, differing from the penalty meaning.

apple genus

A simplified way to refer to the genus of apple trees, emphasizing the biological aspect.

FAQs

How is "malus" used in finance?

In finance, "malus" refers to a clause allowing a company to reduce or cancel bonuses previously awarded to employees due to poor performance or misconduct. It's often associated with "clawback provision".

What does "malus" mean in botany?

In botany, "Malus" is the genus name for apple and crabapple trees. When used in this context, it refers to the botanical classification of these plants.

What is a common alternative to "malus" in a financial context?

A common alternative is "penalty clause" or "clawback", both of which describe the ability to reclaim previously paid compensation due to certain conditions.

Is "malus" commonly used in everyday conversation?

No, "malus" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more often found in technical or formal contexts, such as finance or botany. Using a simpler term like "drawback" or "penalty" might be more appropriate for general audiences.