Words: The Power Within

1. Words: The Power Within Silver Edition Lesson 14 – Wise Choices

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.”

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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!

15. 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.

16. 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.