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