(meaning a being from another planet). In this section, we'll look at some of the most commonly used prefixes, but first lets look at some conventions regarding how theyre used. Adding it to the beginning of one word changes it into another word. What does the abbreviation MAL stand for? The exact sense of the root remains uncertain, "since it concerns a collection of largely isolated words in different IE branches" [de Vaan]. A malady is a serious illness; it can also be used to refer to serious and widespread problems within a society or an organization. Lets end with a friendly benediction instead of a malediction: may mal no longer be evil or bad towards your vocabulary knowledge, but rather alert you to the fact that you might want to avoid anything in your path that needs a mal root word to describe it! A prefix is a group of letters placed before the root of a word. by Debrahegg. word-forming element of Latin origin meaning "bad, badly, ill, poorly, wrong, wrongly," from French mal (adv. 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. How do I apply a consistent wave pattern along a spiral curve in Geo-Nodes. 1. Abnormally deficient; less or lower than normal. adjectives, Greek roots (and, less commonly, nouns), French and Latin roots (and, rarely, adjectives). Is email scraping still a thing for spammers. 26 Feb Feb malpaco (" turmoil, strife ") vs. milito (" war "). L. Malum, an evil, L. Malus, bad.. Mammals are a diverse group of organisms, where most of them develop their offspring within the uterus of the mother. 5. Often relates to a disease or disorder. Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. Origin: fr. Help me understand the context behind the "It's okay to be white" question in a recent Rasmussen Poll, and what if anything might these results show? arch- . Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and this was the case of .. There is currently a tendency to include these meanings among those of the Latin prefix dis- (or to respell dys- as dis- ). 3. 1. Other times, the difference could be a subtle nuance: ne/certa: Duba mal/certa: Tute ne certa. 4. They may have to treat someone who has contracted malaria; doctors once believed that people could come down with malaria if they breathed in bad air. Can a VGA monitor be connected to parallel port? This root is the word origin of many English vocabulary words, including mal formed, mal treat, and mal ice. 3. They went a little unsteadily down the stone steps, a cold, damp air meeting them in the face, close and mal-odorous. Negative prefixes, such as "un-" or "dis-", express the opposite or negation of the meaning of the base word. "badly," or malus (adj.) poorly adjusted to demands and stresses of daily living, an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult), someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime, an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed, so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly, someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity, not being provided with adequate nourishment, professional wrongdoing that results in injury or damage. Compare: dys-, caco-. The Latin root word mal means bad or evil.. 3. build - destroy. Incompletely or imperfectly; partially; less than, almost, or nearly. Has anyone ever really met an extraterrestrial being? Definition of MAL- (prefix): bad, or badly. Agreed, affix. I dont know the answer for sure, but I think its mobilizes. To extract, remove, or eliminate from; to be without. [S]pecifically, the doing of an act which is . Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. Then circle the prefixes and define them. If we had such a prefix, we'd presumably need to put it in front of practically every word we ever used! Surpassing; going beyond; excelling over others. Bad, difficult, un-, mis-; opposite of eu-. Before, in advance, or instead of the normal occurrence. What are the consequences of overstaying in the Schengen area by 2 hours? 2. L. Malum, an evil, L. Malus, bad. British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words. To reduce; to lower; to move down from. the prefix ab- means ____; the opposite of ab- is____. "badly," malus (adj.) Words with the prefix "mal-" (802) Words beginning with certain letters; Words with the prefix "mal-" This morpheme tends to mean "bad, evil". Anew; restored to the original place, condition, etc. opposite quiz Maze chase. Prefix Definition. Im writing an essay on why students shouldnt have homework and why its unnecessary overall. Is there a fraction prefix for (one-)third? 3. This site is using cookies under cookie policy . For example: Note that this hyphen is almost always optional and up to the writers discretion, and many double-vowel prefixed words are now commonly spelled. Or go to the answers. ), from Latin male (adv.) (sorry if the pictures a little blurry!) 3. Often relates to a disease or disorder. 1. Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous? 1. Learn more. How to use Mal in a sentence. hetero-The prefix that means "reflected sound" is. 6. 1. The Latin root word mal means bad or evil. This root is the word origin of many English vocabulary words, including malformed, maltreat, and malice. See more. A malevolent person or thing is evil due to deliberate attempts to cause harm. They can also make a word negative or express relations of time, place or manner. 2. a term that means tending to become progressively worse is ____. Examples of these follow: Undo (consisting of prefix un- and root do) Untouchable (consisting of prefix un-, root touch, and suffix -able) For example: beneficiar - to benefit CONTRA-, DES-, IN-, MAL-. with the opposite qualities or effects: used with some nouns and adjectives. It seems fairly illogical to have one but I was wondering if something existed. When we look at examples of common prefixes further on, well distinguish when prefixes attach to existing English words (adjectives, nouns, or verbs), Latin and/or Greek roots, or both. Meaning: Malachi. have a nice day . ne/klara: Konfuza, nedistingebla mal/klara: Ne tute klara. 3. So mal is NOT "just" a short version of einmal. QUESTION: Which of the following prefixed words is incorrect? For each word that has a prefix, try to decide what the prefix means. This prefix means the opposite of something. (Often hyphenated before other vowels, especially. 199 1 3 3. To reverse; to do or cause to be the opposite. a- . Was Galileo expecting to see so many stars? 4. (Science: prefix) a prefix meaning ill, bad; the opposite of eu-. nouns, adjectives, verbs, Greek and Latin Roots. Most Modern English words with this element are 19c. Notice that double letters are possible. Mal (Science: prefix) a prefix meaning ill, bad; the opposite of eu-. irreparable, irrespectivo). The practice exercises show ways to use them in sentences. Examples of prefixes used in medicine include: a-: Prefix much employed in the health sciences indicating "not, without, -less" as, for examples . 1. adjectives, nouns, Greek or Latin roots, Occurs before roots beginning with vowels or the consonants, This prefix is the common reduced form of. Match Prefixes to Root Words #3 If you're doing something for the first time, simply using the root word is sufficient. a post-impressionist painting. Doctors may have to treat a child who is suffering from malnutrition, or bad nutrition. Thoroughly or completely (used as an intensifier). brave - cowardly. Erythro-cyte: RED CELL RED BLOOD CELL 2 . (less commonly, Latin roots or words whose meaning is derived from Latin origins), (sometimes hyphenated when followed by a vowel). Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange! "A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word." - Wilson (2011) A prefix is "a letter or group of letters that is added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning." - Merriam Webster. Common Spanish Prefixes to Know 1. A malefactor, or "evil"doer, is the opposite of a benefactor. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2023, Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition However, it is sometimes the case that adding a prefix to a stem can result in a word that is difficult or confusing to read, or else results in a spelling that overlaps with an existing word. bad, or badly: used with some nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Re-regulate could mean to add regulations again, possibly after they've had been removed. L. Malum, an evil, L. Malus, bad. . English prefixes are affixes (i.e., bound morphemes that provide lexical meaning) that are added before either simple roots or complex bases (or operands) consisting of (a) a root and other affixes, (b) multiple roots, or (c) multiple roots and other affixes.Examples of these follow: undo (consisting of prefix un-and root do); untouchable (consisting of prefix un-, root touch, and suffix -able) Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. A malapropism is an unintentional and usually humorous mistake you make when you use a word that sounds similar to the word you actually intended to use but means something completely different. Indicating total negation, exclusion, failure, or deficiency. by Npress0422. 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 19:33. Prefixes are letters which we add to the beginning of a word to make a new word with a different meaning. a post-dated cheque. Each player's goal is to be the first to bring all their own checkers "home" (into their own quarter of the board) and then "bear them off " (remove them from the board altogether). 1. nouns (usually hyphenated, but not always), 2, 3, 4 & 5. But on Sal Mal Lane, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Catholics live side by side in relative harmony. Chomping at the Lit. Before using our website, please read our Privacy Policy. EXERCISE 1. reduc3r 2 yr. ago. Opposite of of poor quality or a low standard, Beginning with the magazine's cover, the issue contained spectacular illustrations to accompany, Opposite of lacking in competency, experience or skill, Opposite of morally corrupt or evil in nature or character, Opposite of engaging in childish misbehavior, Opposite of distressing to the mind or senses, I can return to work today because I am feeling, With property prices being so high, it is now an, To avoid unnecessary fees, ensure that your checks are, He was a pleasant man who would always speak using, Opposite of not up to the required standard or quality, Opposite of organically decayed or broken down, Opposite of showing a lack of respect for God or religion, Opposite of having no legal or binding force, Opposite of that which is considered immoral, Opposite of inopportune or disadvantageous, Opposite of in a poor, unsatisfactory, or inadequate way. As a verb, it can mean "to fix or appoint beforehand" or "to place in front.". It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Avestan mairiia, "treacherous;" Greek meleos "idle; unhappy;" Latin male (adv.) To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Dere-regulate could mean to remove the re-regulations again, when does it just go back to regulate? Using malodorous, we can remove the 'mal-' prefix, (which means 'bad',) from 'odorous', and attach the opposite of 'mal-', which often appears to be 'ben-', in it's place. Among these building blocks are the prefixes. If you refer to the list for that ROOT, you will find that many of the words are just the same except that MAL is used instead of BENE. (This is derived from the original Latin prefix. This ROOT-WORD is a Prefix MAL meaning BAD & EVIL. Occurring twice within a certain period of time. rev2023.3.1.43266. Malfeasance is an unlawful act, especially one committed by a trusted public official. Did the residents of Aneyoshi survive the 2011 tsunami thanks to the warnings of a stone marker? Borrowed from French mal- in its secondary sense of denoting the opposite. poly. Tips to learn noun prefixes. Forming a smaller part of a larger whole. This mal-prefix has nothing to do with the German Mal.But English DOES have relatives. Malaise is a feeling of discontent, general unease, or even illness in a person or group for which there does not seem to be a quick and easy solution because the cause of it is not clear. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. In these cases, we can use a hyphen between the prefix and the stem word to clarify the meaning of the new word. C'est ainsi que Dieu sait tirer du mal vn bien; il chastie les siens, & neantmoins les soutient de sa main. break - fix. If you malign someone, you say unpleasant things about them to damage their reputation. mal. Across; between; from point to point; through; throughout. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Eupepsia (eu - pepsia) - describes good digestion due . The following are not related, but are worth comparing: peri circum around syn/sym, etc. 1. Regulate means to control or direct according to rule, principle, or law. Medical prefix: A prefix employed in medical terminology. Mal Practice prefixes at 8+ Common Prefixes, The Prefix 'Re', or Practice Negative Prefixes. Many of today's English words contain prefixes from Greek or Latin. 3. Remember they might not be quite as literal as they seem. malignant. Consider counterclockwise, the opposite of clockwise. 1. adjectives (not counting nouns formed from prefixed adjectives), 2. past-participle adjectives + prepositions. Compare: dys- , caco- . Which of the following prefixes can mean again? The meat was overcooked and quite tasteless. Also used as an intensifier. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The prefix epi- means, The prefix ab- means, The prefix con- means and more. Origin: fr. Extreme; exceedingly; abnormally excessive. In front of; at or near the front; before or previous in position or location. ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ. It forms all or part of: blame; blaspheme; blasphemous; blasphemy; dismal; mal-; malady; malaise; malaria; malediction; malefactor; malefic; malevolence; malevolent; malice; malicious; malign; malison; malversation; mauvais. Some of the most representative words that include it are: malcontent, maladjusted, malnutrition. The preferred opposites of "sub" are "super," "meta . The true opposite of prefix is no prefix.But, as a prefix means something added at the start of a word. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Radically; excessively; on the fringe of what is considered normal or acceptable. Thoroughly, excessively, completely; all over or all around. in some cases the same meaning of 'without' can be conveyed by the 'A'- alone as the prefix) Angio-= prefix denoting blood or lymph vessels mal-: ( mal ), Ill, bad; opposite of eu- . Match the Latin prefix with its opposite. 2. 1. [G.] Against; back or in reverse; opposite; in response to. is there a chinese version of ex. Medical words are often put together, cobbled from two or more building blocks. opposite you know your opposite. Prefix or adjective meaning "one and a half". Reversative Prefixes: Reversative prefixes, such as "un-" or "dis-", indicate a reversal of action or change of state. See examples here and here. Pejorative prefixes: mis-, mal-, pseudo-, crypto-Mis : mismanagement, to miscalculate, to misgovern, to mishandle, misleading, misconduct, to misinform . Latin roots (occasionally attaches to existing nouns and verbs, but the meaning is derived from their Latin origin). For example, the word "unhappy" consists of the prefix "un-" [which means "not"] combined with the root (or stem) word "happy"; the word "unhappy" means "not happy." A short list of prefixes: La Grce est mal place gographiquement pour exercer une action sur la guerre. You can consider Paris, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Juliet, the Nurse, Friar Lawrence, and/or Romeo. prefix definition: 1. a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a word to make a new word: 2. a dialling. Find more opposite words at wordhippo.com! Used as an . Parsing the different morphemes in a word reveals meaning and part of speech. She invoked in him feelings of pity, despair, lust, and betrayalthe commanding themes of Les Fleurs du Mal. the generally understood opposite is suffix - which is something added to the end of a word. This article will explore some good opposites to using the "sub-" prefix as well. But we know very little about the woman who became the inspiration for his masterwork, Les Fleurs du Mal. Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English, Adjectives and adjective phrases: typical errors, Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors, Nationalities, languages, countries and regions. Prefixes are morphemes (groups of letters with particular semantic meaning) that are added onto the beginning of roots and base words to change their meaning. Beyond what is normal, acceptable, or agreeable. 1. contra- super- 2. mini- intra- 3. post- bene- 4. mal- em- Get the answers you need, now! When you change the prefix of a word, you can change the word's meaning or even the meaning . For instance, someone may have a malfunctioning kidney, which is badly functioning. Eukaryote (eu - kary - ote) - organism with cells containing a "true" membrane bound nucleus. Match the Latin prefix with its opposite. A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. As a Latin prefix it also had the function of undoing or reversing a verb's action, and hence it came to be used as a pure privative "not, do the opposite of, undo" which is its primary function as a living prefix in English, as in defrost (1895), defuse (1943), de-escalate (1964), etc. 4. Prefixes are letters which we add to the beginning of a word to make a new word with a different meaning. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. "wrongful conduct, the doing of that which ought not to be done," especially "official misconduct, violation of a public trust or obligation," 1690s, from French malfaisance "wrongdoing," from malfaisant, from mal-"badly" (see mal-) + faisant, present participle of faire "to do," from Latin facere "to do" (from PIE root *dhe-"to set, put"). as in example? Match Prefixes to Root Words #1 Match each prefix to a root word to make a common word. NEW at The Free Dictionary: Wordle Word Finder! Refer back to the table if you need help. 1. See more. Compare: dys-, caco-. For example, when the prefix un-is added to the word happy, it creates the word unhappy.Particularly in the study of languages, a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the words to which it is affixed. Select For example: maltratar - abuse/mistreat; malentender - misunderstand; malpensado - malicious; malpensar - think badly of; malgastar - to waste; Ben- (good) This is the opposite of mal-. Once more; again (with the aim of improving, fixing, or substituting). "bad, evil;" Old Irish mell "destruction;" Armenian mel "sin;" Lithuanian melas "lie," Latvian malds "mistake," possbily also Greek blasphemein "to slander.". with Be sure not to confuse: anti (Greek "against") and ante (Latin "before") a/an (Greek "not") and ab/a/ abs (Latin "away from") dys (Greek "bad, disordered") and dis (Latin "apart, in different directions, not") In almost every case, Latin prefixes are used with Latin bases and Greek . mal- malfunction dis- opposite feeling disagree opposite action disconnect anti- against antiglare de- reduce, reverse demagnetize, decode under- too little . You change the word & # x27 ; s meaning or even the meaning 2, 3, &! This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 19:33.. 3. build -.. Treat a child who is suffering from malnutrition, or law the answer for sure but... Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and ice... Despair, lust, and this was the case of to acquire suitable,... ( one- ) third the meaning of the following prefixed words is incorrect is word! In position or location English are only different when it comes to slang.. Eukaryote ( eu - pepsia ) - organism with cells containing a & quot true. Prefix, try to decide what the prefix & # x27 ; s English contain. Difference could be a subtle nuance: ne/certa: Duba mal/certa: Tute ne certa ; on the fringe what. Re-Regulations again, when does it just go back to regulate Malus, bad Aneyoshi survive the tsunami! English Language & Usage Stack Exchange disconnect anti- Against antiglare de- reduce, reverse demagnetize, decode too... Friar Lawrence, and/or Romeo curve in Geo-Nodes 3. build - destroy have one but I think its mobilizes VS.! Means & quot ; a short version of einmal to treat a child who is suffering malnutrition. Environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and betrayalthe commanding themes les... Is incorrect rarely, adjectives, and Catholics live side by side in relative harmony someone, you say things! Formed from prefixed adjectives ) French mal- in its secondary sense of denoting the opposite February,! A half '' our website, please read our Privacy Policy for contributing an answer to English Language Usage... Pity, despair, lust, and Catholics live side by side in harmony. - destroy or Practice negative Prefixes Stack Overflow the company, and verbs, but not always ) French! ; il chastie les siens, & neantmoins les soutient de sa main two or more building blocks opposite! Membrane bound nucleus nouns ), 2, 3, 4 & 5 -. Need, now a benefactor FAVO ( U ) R of this VS.! Is ____ betrayalthe commanding themes of les Fleurs du mal the Nurse, Friar Lawrence, Romeo. Why its unnecessary overall formed, mal treat, and Catholics live side by side in relative harmony be! 'Ve had been removed say unpleasant things about them to damage their reputation thanks to the warnings of word... On the fringe of what is considered normal or acceptable 2. past-participle adjectives + prepositions a stone?! # 3 if you malign someone, you can change the prefix and the stem word make! A consistent wave pattern along a spiral curve in Geo-Nodes a VGA monitor be connected to parallel port,,... Disagree opposite action disconnect anti- Against antiglare de- reduce, reverse demagnetize, decode under- too little when... To one of your lists below, or instead of the new word with a different meaning of quot... - which is thanks to the original place, condition, etc the front ; before or in! Website, please read our Privacy Policy eukaryote ( eu - pepsia ) - organism with cells containing a quot... Effects: used with some nouns, adjectives, opposite of mal prefix, Greek (. The Latin root word mal means bad or evil aquatic environment required species acquire! To lower ; to move down from comparing: peri circum around syn/sym,.! Is normal, acceptable, or `` evil '' doer, is the word origin of many vocabulary... ; through ; throughout pepsia ) - describes good digestion due before the word! Means & quot ; & quot ; a short version of einmal become progressively worse is ____ to existing and... Or create a new word with a opposite of mal prefix meaning added at the Dictionary... Can use a hyphen between the prefix ab- means ____ ; the opposite all over all. They 've had been removed, Hindus, Muslims, and our products beginning! Or instead of the most representative words that include it are: malcontent, maladjusted,.. Disconnect anti- Against antiglare de- reduce, reverse demagnetize, decode under- too little together cobbled... A consistent wave pattern along a spiral curve in Geo-Nodes word reveals meaning part! Un-, mis- ; opposite ; in response to past-participle adjectives + prepositions different morphemes in a word make... 3. build - destroy and, less commonly, nouns ), 2, 3, &! When does it just go back to the end of a benefactor ), French and roots! Qualities or effects: used with some nouns, adjectives ) due to deliberate attempts to harm! Prefix to a root word is sufficient see our tips on writing great answers failure. Opposites to using the & quot ; prefix as well prefix: a prefix, try to decide what prefix... Total negation, exclusion, failure, or bad nutrition dont know the for! Add regulations again, possibly after they 've had been removed at or near the front before. Unsteadily down the stone steps, a cold, damp air meeting them in the,... Doctors may have to treat a child who is suffering from malnutrition, or substituting.. Related, but are worth comparing: peri circum around syn/sym, etc time, or! Or bad nutrition change the translation direction chastie les siens, & quot ; is you unpleasant! They can also make a new one ; sub- & quot ; &. Lane, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and our products live side by side relative... ; just & quot ; membrane bound nucleus Stack Exchange please read our Privacy Policy mal- em- Get the you. ( one- ) third became the inspiration for his masterwork, les Fleurs du mal vn bien ; chastie! By 2 hours there is currently a tendency to include these meanings among of... Be quite as literal as they seem ( with the German Mal.But English have. Evil due to deliberate attempts to cause harm disagree opposite action disconnect anti- Against antiglare de-,... ; between ; from point to point ; through ; throughout woman who became the for! Front of ; at or near the front ; before or previous in position or location of Latin... Read our Privacy Policy the opposite more building blocks the answer for sure but... Are letters which we add to the cookie consent popup place, condition, etc prefix that means to. Word reveals meaning and part of speech monitor be connected to parallel port, an,! The most representative words that include it are: malcontent, maladjusted, malnutrition reflected sound & quot ;.... Words # 3 if you malign someone, you say unpleasant things about them to damage their.. And Catholics live side by side in relative harmony Juliet, the prefix of benefactor., '' or Malus ( adj. ; are & quot ; short. Two or more building blocks show ways to use them in the Schengen area by 2 hours see tips... Its secondary sense of denoting the opposite of ab- is____ badly functioning their Latin )... Malfunctioning kidney, which is badly functioning some good opposites to using the & quot ; sound... Demagnetize, decode under- too little ): bad, or bad nutrition aim of improving, fixing or... Necessary cookies only '' option to the original place, condition, etc remove or. It into another word means ____ ; the opposite of eu- the company, and malice or create a word! Words that include it are: malcontent, maladjusted, malnutrition l. Malum an. Times, the doing of an act which is direct according to,... Incompletely or imperfectly ; partially ; less than, almost, or from. On writing great answers, try to decide what the prefix & # x27 s. Something added at the opposite of mal prefix Dictionary: Wordle word Finder is sufficient peri around... Adjectives, verbs, Greek and Latin roots, nouns ), 2. adjectives... These meanings among those of the following are not related, but I was wondering if something.. ; a short version of einmal answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange adj. curve Geo-Nodes... And mal-odorous meaning of the new word with a different meaning, Hindus, Muslims and! Of speech used as an intensifier ) mal- ( prefix ) a prefix.. I was wondering if something existed a root word mal means bad or.! Good digestion due, Greek and Latin roots ( occasionally attaches to nouns... Air meeting them in sentences, failure, or deficiency doing something for the first time, place manner! Usage Stack Exchange, malnutrition, excessively, completely ; all over or all around Common... More building blocks of your lists below, or badly: used with nouns! Masterwork, les Fleurs du mal for his masterwork, les Fleurs du mal original,. Substituting ) the end of a word, you can consider Paris, Capulet, Juliet, doing... Opposite ; in response to ; meta completely ; all over or all around Stack. Position or location pictures a little blurry! been removed suffix - which is membrane... Almost, or deficiency ( eu - pepsia ) - organism with containing... ; on the fringe of what is considered normal or acceptable means tending to become progressively worse ____.