My understanding of "malaise"

[billiejeanie25]

The word "malaise" has three definitions, according to Merriam Webster.

Definitions of malaise -

1: an indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness
An infected person will feel a general malaise.

2: a vague sense of mental or moral ill-being
a malaise of cynicism and despair

3: a problem or condition that harms or weakens a group, society, etc.
[noncount]
postwar malaise
[singular]
The country's current economic problems are symptoms of a deeper malaise.

The general premise of the first two meanings seems to refer to a slump in which you feel sick either mentally or physically. The last definition seems to refer to a slump that everyone collectively is plagued by, like an economic slump or education slump or a political slump.

Is my understanding of these definitions completely off the mark? Please correct my understanding, if there are any errors

 

[jutfrank]

No, you've summarised what the dictionary says well.

 

[billiejeanie25]

I've heard from one source: that malaise refers to the bad feelings/variables as the source of the slump, whereas some sources say that malaise refers to the resulting state caused by the problem (as this is perceived as the sum and substance of malaise). What are your thoughts on this dynamic?

 

[emsr2d2]

I've heard from various sources:

Which sources? Please provide details.

 

[billiejeanie25]

SUBREDDIT: r/ENGLISH

Details of conversation as follows:

"Your understanding is correct.
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https://www.reddit.com/user/thesagewalker/
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thesagewalker
OP·7 hr. ago

I'm beginning to see "malaise" as not just only the slump, but rather the "sickness" or "illness" that spreads to any area (that's relatively clean and healthy) and infects the inner parts within, to the point that the people and things are plagued by its baleful effects. An ailment that is the source of all the pain and suffering entailed with a slump, if you will. Could that also be a possible interpretation?
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xbladefate25
·6 hr. ago

It is not the sickness itself; it’s the state caused by the sickness. This can be seen in it etymology: “mid 18th century: ‘from French, from Old French mal ‘bad’ (from Latin malus ) + aise ‘ease’.“ Malaise refers to the feeling ill at ease, not to the cause of this feeling. Sense 3 seems to be an extension of this earlier sense of the word."

 

[Tarheel]

"It's not the sickness itself; it's the state caused by the sickness" is correct.

 

[billiejeanie25]

@Tarheel Allow me to make this assumption: my initial understanding of malaise's definition is justified due to its emphasis on the resulting condition rather than on the cause (the "sickness")?

 

[jutfrank]

I'm not certain I get the distinction you're trying to make. The sickness is the state. The feeling is the state.

Don't try to understand malaise as the cause of anything—it's a state of being.