mal-, male-, mali-
(Latin: bad, badly, harsh, wrong; ill; evil; abnormal, defective; used primarily as a prefix)
This combining form has no etymological connection to "male", meaning "man" or "masculine"; despite what some women may think.
grand mal seizure, tonic-clonic seizure
A type of seizure that results in loss of consciousness, generalized muscle contractions, urinary incontinence, tongue biting and a postictal (after a seizure) condition with confusion and lethargy following cessation of the seizure.
This is a form of epilepsy characterized by tonic-clonic seizures. involving two phases; the tonic phase in which the body becomes rigid, and the clonic phase in which there is an uncontrolled jerking.
Tonic-clonic seizures may or may not be preceded by an aura (a symptom of brain malfunction which may consist of flashing lights, a gleam of light, blurred vision, an odor, the feeling of a breeze, numbness, weakness, or difficulty speaking), and are often followed by a headache, confusion, and sleep.
Such seizures may last for mere seconds, or continue for several minutes. If a tonic-clonic seizure does not resolve or if such seizures follow each other in rapid succession, the subject should seek emergency help. The person could be in a life-threatening state known as status epilepticus. Treatment is with antiseizure medications.
Grand mal means "big illness" in French and is an antonym of another type of epilepsy known as petit mal.
malabsorption
Imperfect absorption (of food material by the body).
maladjusted
1. Poorly adjusted; unhappy or unsuccessful because of inability or failure to adjust to life's stresses; marked by depression, anxiety, and irritability.
2. Inadequately adjusted; exhibiting or characterized by psychological maladjustment.
maladjustment
Faulty adjustment. specifically in psychology, unsuccessful adaptation to one's social environment.
maladminister
To administer, execute, or manage inefficiently or badly.
maladroit
Lacking adroitness or dexterity; awkward, bungling, clumsy.
maladroitly
maladroitness
malady
1. A specific kind of ill health, an ailment, a disease.
2. A morbid or depraved condition (e.g. of mind, morals, social arrangements, etc.); something that calls for a remedy or cure.
mala fide
1. In bad faith.
2. Acting in bad faith; pretended, not genuine, sham.
malafide
With or in bad faith.
malaise
1. A condition of bodily uneasiness or discomfort; especially, a condition of bodily suffering or lassitude, without the development of specific disease.
2. Discomfort, uneasiness, or indisposition, often indicative of infection.
malalignment
Improper alignment of structures; such as, teeth or the portions of a fractured bone.
malapert
malapertly
Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units meaning "bad, wrong":
caco-, kako-;
dys-;
mis-;
pessim-;
sceler-.