The Unfortunate Dys
The prefix dys- derives from the Greek and has a number of unfavourable meanings. In Greek, using this prefix denoted the opposite of anything that was easy, favourable or fortunate, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Etymology.
Connotations include: impaired, defective, difficult, slow, wrong, ill, harsh, disordered and bad.
There are a number of common words which use this prefix:
- dyscalculia: difficulty in solving mathematical problems
- dysentery: an intestinal disorder
- dysfunction: abnormal or impaired function; hence, dysfunctional
- dysgraphia: inability to write correctly because of impairment in brain function
- dyskinesia: impairment of the the ability to make voluntary movements
- dyslexia: difficulty with processing written language, resulting in reading and spelling difficulties
A longer list is available on the WordQuests site.
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3 Responses to “The Unfortunate Dys”
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rubinelli
A word that shares the same structure is disaster. In antiquity, those were supposed to happen under “bad stars.”
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maryvonne Fent
The first word appears misspelled.
Should it be: dyscalculia?(my mother tongue is French, and the word “calcul” or “calculation” came to my mind as I read your quote.)
Thanks for your Daily Writing Tips! -
Daniel Scocco
It was a typo, fixed that already.
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