Vocabulary List 11
Roots are basic words which have been carried over into English. Stems are variations of roots brought
about by changes in declension or conjunction.
Word
Root or Stem
mal
Part of Speech
Meaning
bad, evil
Meaning
1. malevolent
adj.
wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will; illdisposed; malicious: His failures made him malevolent toward
those who were successful; evil; harmful; injurious: a
malevolent inclination to destroy the happiness of others.
2. malediction
n
a curse; slander
3. malefactor
n
a criminal; a person who does harm or evil
4. malfeasance
n
the doing of a wrongful or illegal act, especially by a public
official
5. maladroit
adj.
clumsy, awkward, inept; bungling; tactless (adroit: skillful)
6. malady
n
sickness; disease (social maladies; malady of the spirit)
7. malapropism
n
the humorous misuse of words, especially by the confusion of
words that are similar in sound
8. malign
v
speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame:
to malign an honorable man.
evil in effect; pernicious; baleful; injurious: The gloomy house
had a malign influence upon her usually good mood; having or
showing an evil disposition; malevolent; malicious.
adj.
(Other words with this root are maltreat, malicious, malice, malpractice, malignant, and malaria)
9. manifest
Root or Stem
man, manu
adj.
v
Meaning
by hand
readily perceived by the eye or the understanding; evident;
obvious; apparent; plain: a manifest error.
to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show
plainly: He manifested his approval with a hearty laugh.
10. manacle
n
v
a shackle for the hand; handcuff
to handcuff; restrain, inhibit
11. manumit
v
to release from slavery or servitude (voluntarily)
12. emancipate
v
to free from restraint or influence; to free a slave from bondage
(with or without the consent of the owner)
(Other words with this root are manual, manuscript, manicure, manipulate, and manufacture)
Root or Stem
mar, mari, mer
Meaning
sea
13. maritime
adj.
connected with, or living by, the sea
14. mariner
n
a sailor
(Other words with this root are mermaid, marine, and submarine)
15. missive
Root or Stem
mit, miss, mitt
n
Meaning
to send
a written message; a letter
16. transmit
v
to to send or forward, as to a recipient or destination; dispatch;
convey; to communicate, as information or news; to pass or
spread (disease, infection, etc.) to another; to pass on (a genetic
characteristic) from parent to offspring: The mother transmitted
her red hair to her daughter.
17. intermittent
adj.
stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and
beginning again: an intermittent pain.
(Other words with this root are missile, admission, admit, dismiss, remit, and emit)
18. admonish
19. premonition
Root or Stem
mon, monit
v
n
Meaning
to warn
to caution, advise, or counsel against
a sense of anticipation or anxiety before an event
Root or Stem
mori, mort
Meaning
to die
20. moribund
adj.
dying; near death; on the verge of extinction
21. immortal
adj. / n
not capable of dying; remembered or celebrated through all
time
(Other words with this root are mortuary, mortal, mortify, monitor, and remorse)
Root or Stem
nav
Meaning
ship
22. navigate
v
to move on, over, or through; to find one’s way; to direct or
manage on a course
23. circumnavigate
v
to sail or fly around; to maneuver around
(Other words with this root are naval and navy)