Malice (5)
There are a few possibilities for this:
nastiness
'malice' is the definition.
(I know that spite is a type of malice)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for spite that I've seen before include "Rancour" , "Desire to hurt or annoy" , "Hatred" , "Malicious desire to hurt or humiliate" , "Venom" .)
'malice' is the definition.
(I know that malice can be written as venom)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for venom that I've seen before include "Poisonous fluid" , "Snake's poison" , "Poison; malice" , "Toxic substance" , "Virulence" .)
'malice' is the definition.
(I know that nastiness is a type of malice)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for nastiness that I've seen before include "Malevolence" , "ill humour" , "hostility" , "Unpleasant behaviour" , "Repugnant behaviour" .)