vindictive

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

vindictive
    adj 1: disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge; "more
           vindictive than jealous love"- Shakespeare;
           "punishments...essentially vindictive in their nature"-
           M.R.Cohen [syn: {revengeful}, {vindictive}, {vengeful}]
    2: showing malicious ill will and a desire to hurt; motivated by
       spite; "a despiteful fiend"; "a truly spiteful child"; "a
       vindictive man will look for occasions for resentment" [syn:
       {despiteful}, {spiteful}, {vindictive}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Vindictive \Vin*dic"tive\, a. [For vindicative, confused with L.
   vindicta revenge, punishment, fr. vindicare to vindicate. Cf.
   {Vindicative}.]
   1. Disposed to revenge; prompted or characterized by revenge;
      revengeful.
      [1913 Webster]

            I am vindictive enough to repel force by force.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Punitive. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

   {Vindictive damages}. (Law) See under {Damage}, n.
      [1913 Webster] -- {Vin*dic"tive*ly}, adv. --
      {Vin*dic"tive*ness}, n.
      [1913 Webster]