Malaise refers to a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease, often accompanied by a lack of energy or a sense of uneasiness. It is not specific to any one illness but rather suggests an overall sense of being unwell and can be a symptom of various conditions. Essentially, when someone is experiencing malaise, they feel off or not quite right, even if they cannot pinpoint a specific problem.
The word "malaise" originates from the French term "mal aise," which means "bad ease." It is comprised of "mal," meaning "bad," and "aise," meaning "ease" or "comfort." This term was adopted into English in the early 19th century.