The given correct answer, "peior," is the comparative form of the Latin word "malus," which means "bad" or "evil." In Latin, adjectives have different forms depending on the degree of comparison, such as positive, comparative, and superlative. The comparative form is used to compare two things, indicating that one is worse or more negative than the other. Therefore, "peior" is the correct comparative form of "malus," indicating a higher level of badness or evilness.