mal-, male-, mali-
(Latin: bad, badly, harsh, wrong; ill; evil; abnormal, defective; used primarily as a prefix)
This combining form has no etymological connection to "male", meaning "man" or "masculine"; despite what some women may think.
The scientific study of the infectious disease caused by parasites that infect the red blood cells: At the hospital's Infectious Disease Department, Dr. Smithson was a specialist in malariology where he was studying blood smears in the laboratory at six-hour to twelve-hour intervals until the parasites became clearly visible under the microscope.
malarious (adjective), more malarious, most malarious
Infected with a disease which is caused by a specific mosquito bite: Dr. Smith's patient appeared to have a malarious fever accompanied by periods of severe chills.
In medicine, the imperfect absorption of nutriments into the body system: Karen's doctor indicated that her loss of weight and weakness was a result of malassimilation and efforts were being made to find a medical solution.
An individual who is dissatisfied and complains about political, social, and other living conditions; inclined to rebellion or mutiny; restless and always complaining: Matt complained about so many things so often, that he had a reputation for being nothing more than a malcontent who could never be satisfied.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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malcontentedly (adverb), more malcontentedly, most malcontentedly
Descriptive of being or appearing to be dissatisfied; and so, frequently complaining: The group organizer spoke in a malcontentedly loud voice because he was using a megaphone to describe the concerns of the group to a larger audience.
A state of complaining, being disgusted, and determined to cause mischief: The malcontentedness among poor people in some populations have led to revolutions that have resulted in the violent overthrowing of their governments.
A desire for something better than the present situation; dissatisfaction: The malcontentment among some students was resulting in a strike to protest against the poor quality of the food in the campus cafeteria.
A disordered or upset stomach because of imperfect or poor assimilation of food: After an uncomfortable night of maldigestion, Mike's uncle decided to go to the doctor for a prescription.
maledict (verb), maledicts; maledicted; maledicting
To utter or to verbally express harsh words or obscenities against a situation or at someone: The supervisor was very upset and he could be heard maledicting some members of his staff because he was convinced that they were incompetent in taking care of a supply problem.
maledicted (adjective), more maledicted, most maledicted
Referring to something which or someone who is spoken of in an evil manner or accursed: Sharon's boss was heard using maledicted words when a technician accidentally knocked a new computer off the desk as it was being installed.
1. A spoken curse or an evil spell: The author was fearful that the governor of the foreign country had issued a malediction against her because of the derogatory statement she made in one of her books.
2. Malicious accusations, comments, or evil talking about an individual, people, nations, politicians, etc.: Several new maledictions against the former mayor were revealed by the press on the weekend.
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2. Malicious accusations, comments, or evil talking about an individual, people, nations, politicians, etc.: Several new maledictions against the former mayor were revealed by the press on the weekend.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
maledictory (adjective), more maledictory, most maledictory
Of the nature of, or resembling a condemnation or slanderous comment: The news columnist reserved her most maledictory comments for the senator; in fact, he was a frequent target of her disparaging or uncomplimentary remarks.
An instance of evil-doing, a criminal act; an act of wrong or injury to others: The judge sentenced the convicted criminal to life in prison for his series of malefactions.
1. Someone who is guilty of a heinous offense against the law; a felon, a criminal: The judge was very angry at the malefactor and said she should be thrown into prison and the key thrown away.
2. Evildoers who do terrible things against other people: The two malefactors went into the school and shot and killed several children and teachers before the police could arrive to stop them with return gunfire.
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© ALL rights are reserved.
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2. Evildoers who do terrible things against other people: The two malefactors went into the school and shot and killed several children and teachers before the police could arrive to stop them with return gunfire.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
malefic (adjective), more malefic, most malefic
A reference to something that is influenced in an unfavorable or bad way or which produces evil results: The dictator's malefic treatment of his citizens resulted in his being overthrown and executed.
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units meaning "bad, wrong": caco-, kako-; dys-; mis-; pessim-; sceler-.
