Sample lecture Course syllabus
macro- : large, great
macromolecule (a large molecule)
macroeconomics (study of the overall forces of economy)
mal- : bad, ill, wrong
malcontent (dissatisfied, a dissatisfied and rebellious person)
malaria (bad air → infectious disease)
malaises (a general feeling of discomfort, illness)
malevolent (bad will, evil minded, malicious)
malicious (showing ill will, intending to harm others)
malignant (uncontrollable, dangerous, infectious)
dismal (depressing, dreary)
max- : greatest
maximal (the best or greatest possible)
maximize (to make as great as possible)
maximum (the greatest amount)
medi- : middle
medieval (pertaining to the Middle Ages)
medium (in the middle)
median (a middle point)
mediocre (of only medium quality, not very good)
meddlesome (fond of meddling, interfering, nosy)
mega- : great, large, million
megalopolis (an area with many nearby cities)
megaphone (a device that projects a loud voice)
meso- : middle
meson (elementary particle with a mass between an electron and a proton)
mesosphere (the middle region of the earth's atmosphere)
meta- : change, after, beyond
metaphysics (study of nature and reality)
metamorphosis (a complete change of form)
metastasis (the transmission of disease to other parts of the body)
metaphor (a figure of speech)
micro- : very small, short, minute
microbe (a very small living thing)
microchip (a tiny wafer with an integrated circuit)
microscope (a device to see very small things)
mid- : middle
midriff (the area between the chest and the waist)
midterm (middle of a term in school)
midway (halfway between)
mini- : small, less
minuscule (extremely tiny)
minutiae (very small or trivial details)
mis- : bad, badly, wrong, to hate
misbehave (to behave badly)
miscreant (a person who is not believable → criminal)
mishap (an unlucky accident, setback)
misprint (an error in printing)
misplace (to put in a wrong place, to lose)
misnomer (an error in naming a person or thing)
misogyny (hate of woman)
misanthrope (a person who dislikes humankind)
neo- : new, recent
neoclassic (a revival of classic form)
neonatal (a newborn baby)
non-, ne- : absence, negation
non-smoker
non-alcoholic
nefarious (wicked or criminal)
neglect (fail to care for properly)
ob-, oc-, of-, op-: blocking, against; toward, in the direction of; completely
obese (completely eat → grossly fat, overweight)
obnoxious (towards harm → unpleasant, nasty, distasteful)
object (to refuse, oppose)
objurgate (to denounce harshly, scold)
obloquy (condemnatory speech, strong public criticism)
obstacle (a thing that blocks one's way)
obfuscate (completely darken → obscure, confuse, bewilder)
obtuse (not sharp-pointed or sharp-edged, stupid)
obdurate (completely hardened → stubborn, unbending, obstinate)
obscene (against decency → disgusting to the senses, scandalous)
obstreperous (noisy and difficult to control)
obstruct (to prevent or hinder)
occupy (to reside or have one's place of business in a building)
occlude (completely block → obstruct, stop, clog)
occult (supernatural, magical)
offend (to cause to feel upset, commit an illegal act)
oppose (to actively resist, compete against)
opprobrium (against disgraceful conduct → harsh criticism or censure)
omni- : all
omnipotent (with all the power)
omniscient (knowing all things)
omnivorous (eating plants and animals)
out- : surpassing, exceeding, away
outgoing (friendly and socially confident)
outreach (reach further than)
outbuilding (shed or barn detached from the house)
over- : excessively, completely, outer, above
overcoat (a long warm coat worn over other clothing)
overcast (marked by a covering of gray clouds)