Malicious Mischief Definition Insurance

"Language in an insurance policy should be given its plain, ordinary meaning". Soliva v. Shand, Morahan & Co., Inc., 176 W. Va. 430, 345 S.E.2d 33 (1986). "Murray. Vandalism is generally understood to mean "deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property." Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary 2104 (2d ed. 1998). See also Chambers 20th Century Dictionary 1436 (1983) (defining "vandal," in part, as "one who destroys what is beautiful . . . one who wantonly damages property," and defining "vandalize" as "to inflict wilful and senseless damage on (property, etc.)"); Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language 2532 (unabridged 1970) (describing "vandalism" as "willful or malicious destruction or defacement of things of beauty or of public or private property"). Similarly, the plain ordinary meaning of the term "malicious mischief" is "willful destruction of personal property motivated by ill will or resentment toward its owner or possessor." Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary 1164. See also Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language 1367 (defining "malicious mischief" as "willful, wanton, or reckless damage or destruction of another's property"). Cf. Chambers 20th Century Dictionary 761 & 804 (defining "malicious" as "bearing ill-will or spite: moved by hatred or ill-will: mischievous," and defining "mischief" as "an ill consequence: evil: injury: damage, hurt: the troublesome fact: a source of harm: petty misdeeds or annoyance: pestering playfulness . . .").