Words: The Power WithinSilver EditionLesson 14 – Wise Choices

BENE

•Benefit•Bene + fit (make, do)•Literal definition – make good, do good•Dictionary definition – (n) an advantage or

a profit; something good; (v) to receive an advantage

•One benefit of teaching at Endeavor is the smaller class size.

BENE

•Benefactor•Bene + fact (make, do) + or (one who)•Literal definition – one who makes or does

good•Dictionary definition – (n) a person who

gives money or other help to a person or cause

•The charity’s generous benefactor donated over a million dollars to help their cause.

BENE - GOOD

•Benevolent•Bene + vol (choose) + ent (characteristic

of)•Literal definition – characteristic of

choosing good•Dictionary definition – (adj) well-meaning;

kind; generous•The benevolent stranger stopped and

helped Wolfgang when he got a flat tire.

DYS

•Dysfunctional •Dys + fungi (perform) + al (related to)•Literal definition – related to performing

poorly•Dictionary definition – (adj) not operating

properly•The dysfunctional family often argued

with each other over even the littlest things.

DYS•Dyslexia•Dys + lexis (speech, read) + ia (condition)•Literal definition – condition of speaking or

reading poorly•Dictionary definition – (n) disorders that

cause difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols

•People with dyslexia learn certain skills to help them to overcome potential difficulties with reading and writing.

DYS – BAD, POORLY

•Dystropy •Dys + troph (growth) + y (result of)•Literal definition – result of bad growth•Dictionary definition – (n) a disorder in

which an organ or tissue of the body wastes away

•Muscular dystrophy might keep someone from being able to walk without assistance.

EU

•Eulogize•Eu + log (word) + ize (make)•Literal definition – making good words•Dictionary definition – (v) to praise highly

in speech or writing•The guest speaker was eulogized before

he made his way to the stage.

EU

•Euphemism•Eu +phem (name) + ism (belief)•Literal definition – belief in a good name•Dictionary definition – (n) replacing an

offensive or harsh term with something better to make it less unpleasant or embarrassing

•“Collaborating” might be used as a euphemism for “cheating.”

EU - GOOD

•Euphonious•Eu + phon (sound) + ious (full of)•Literal definition – full of good sound•Dictionary definition – (adj) pleasing to

hear•The euphonious sounds of the ocean and

seagulls is one reason I love going to the beach.

MAL

•Malady•Mal + habitus (having)•Literal definition – having bad•Dictionary definition – (n) a disease,

disorder, or ailment•Make sure you get your shots before

traveling into the jungle; you don’t want to contract some deadly malady like malaria.

MAL

•Malicious•Mal + ious (full of)•Literal definition – full of bad•Dictionary definition – (adj) resulting from

the desire to harm others or to see others suffer

•Lebinda sent a malicious e-mail about Wolfgang to all her friends.

MAL - BAD

•Malformation•Mal + form (shape) + ion (act of)•Literal definition – act of bad shaping•Dictionary definition – (n) a deformity; an

abnormal structure•A snake born with two heads would be

considered a malformation.

MIS

•Mischievous •Mis + chever (to end)•Literal definition – to end poorly•Dictionary defintion – (adj) causing

trouble in a playful way•The mischievous puppies kept gnawing on

my shoes!

MIS

•Misdemeanor•Mis + demeanor (behavior)•Literal definition – bad behavior•Dictionary definition – (n) a minor

wrongdoing, less serious than a felony•Punishment for certain misdemeanors

might include a warning, public service, or a small fine.

MIS – BAD, POORLY

•Misfortune•Mis + Fortune (goddess of luck or chance)•Literal definition – bad fortune•Dictionary definition – (n) bad luck•Wolfgang is sensitive to the misfortune of

others and often donates time and money to help those less fortunate.