Malady, n.; pl. Maladies.
Etymology: [F. maladie, fr. malade ill, sick, OF. also, malabde, fr. L. male habitus, i. e., ill-kept, not in good condition. See Malice, and Habit.]
1. Any disease of the human body; a distemper, disorder, or indisposition, proceeding from impaired, defective, or morbid organic functions; especially, a lingering or deep-seated disorder. The maladies of the body may prove medicines to the mind. Buckminster.
2. A moral or mental defect or disorder. Love's a malady without a cure. Dryden.
Syn. -- Disorder; distemper; sickness; ailment; disease; illness. See Disease.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for malady; he lists it under disease.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.