What does the prefix dys- mean?

What does the prefix dys- mean?

• A. Bad or difficult
• B. Above
• C. Many
• D. Small

Answer: (A)

Dys- signals difficulty or abnormal function. It comes from Greek and is used in medical and behavioral terms to indicate something isn’t functioning normally, such as dyslexia (reading difficulty) or dyspepsia (indigestion/difficult digestion). This makes “bad or difficult” the best fit for the meaning of the prefix. In contrast, prefixes meaning above, many, or small come from other roots (for example, supra/hyper for above, poly/multi for many, micro for small) and do not convey the same sense as dys- in indicating dysfunction or impairment.

Dys- signals difficulty or abnormal function. It comes from Greek and is used in medical and behavioral terms to indicate something isn’t functioning normally, such as dyslexia (reading difficulty) or dyspepsia (indigestion/difficult digestion). This makes “bad or difficult” the best fit for the meaning of the prefix. In contrast, prefixes meaning above, many, or small come from other roots (for example, supra/hyper for above, poly/multi for many, micro for small) and do not convey the same sense as dys- in indicating dysfunction or impairment.