Even these common specifically-Jewish surnames can be misleading, though. The surname Cohan (as in songwriter George M.) is usually Irish rather than Jewish. The surname Lavigne (as in singer Avril) is pronounced much like Levine, but it is a common gentile name among French Canadians.
malice aforethought - Legal Definition. n. The requisite state of mind for murder to be charged under the common law, involving an intent to kill or to cause serious physical harm, depraved indifference to human life, or an intent to commit another serious felony that results in a death.
1 noun. 2  Averment in the Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims. 3  French averer, to affirm as true: Latin ad, to; verum, truth. 4  A positive statement of the truth of a fact; a formal allegation in pleading. Note: This legal definition of Averment in the Dictionary of Law (English and American Jurisprudence) is from 1893.