Prefixes Expressing a Judgment
Some prefixes qualify or express a judgment about the root to which they are attached.
bene-, mal-, and mis-
Which terms in the following sentences mean something good? Which mean something bad?
The firm provides its employees a very good benefits package.
Exercise and a wholesome diet are beneficial to one's health.
The test showed that the growth was not malignant.
The benevolent gentleman made a generous donation to their group.
Her misfortune saddened everyone around her.
The prefix bene- comes to us from the Latin for "well" or "good." Benefit and the related adjective beneficial combine this prefix with a form of the Latin word facere, meaning "to do," giving us something that is helpful. Benevolent joins this prefix with a root that means "will" or "wish," so benevolence is good will.
The prefix mal- is from a Latin word meaning "bad." In contrast to benevolence, malevolence is ill will. Likewise, malignant means "evil" or "ill-disposed." A malignant tumor is one that does great harm. To malfunction is to function poorly or break down.
Like mal-, mis- indicates "bad" or "amiss." Misfortune is, therefore, bad luck. And a mishap is an accident or unfortunate happening.
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