malnutrition
UK[ˌmælnjuːˈtrɪʃn]US[ˌmælnuːˈtrɪʃn]
n
A poor physical condition resulting from a lack of proper food or from the inability of the body to absorb nutrients effectively.
n
A serious medical condition caused by an inadequate or unbalanced diet.
Morpheme Breakdown
mal
nutrition
mal
bad
nutrition
nourishment
Etymology
The word 'malnutrition' is a modern English compound formed by directly combining a Latin-derived prefix with a Latin-derived base. The prefix 'mal-', from Latin malus meaning 'bad', has been a productive element in English for centuries, used to denote fault or deficiency, as seen in words like 'malfunction' and 'malpractice'. The base 'nutrition' originates from the Latin verb nutrire, meaning 'to nourish', which itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root (s)na- related to flowing, likely in reference to mother's milk. The logical construction of the word is transparent: 'bad nourishment' literally describes the condition of inadequate or improper nutritional intake, which is precisely its modern medical and sociological meaning.
Analysis
Structure: mal (bad) + nutrition (nourishment)
- mal: From Latin malus (bad, evil). A prefix indicating a negative, defective, or undesirable condition.
- nutrition: From Latin nutrire (to nourish, suckle). The base word refers to the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
Examples
Chronic malnutrition in early childhood can lead to stunted growth and developmental delays.
The relief agency's primary goal was to combat malnutrition in the drought-stricken region.
The doctor attributed the patient's fatigue and weakness to severe malnutrition.