1. Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
Lesson 4
Greek Prefixes: eu-, ev-, dys-

2. eu-, ev-
The Greek prefix eu- or ev- means “good,well.”

3. dys-
The Greek prefix dys- means “bad, improper.” Like other Greek prefixes (a-, an-), eu-, ev-, and dys- usually attach to Greek bases and generate vocabulary that is scientific, technical, or medical in nature.

4. Eu-
This prefix consistently appears as eu- when it attaches to a base beginning with a consonant.
eu + log (word) = eulogy
(a “good word” said about someone at a funeral)
eu + pheme (word) = euphemism
(“good” way to say something that is negative in nature)

5. Ev-
If the base of the word begins with a vowel or the letter h, we use ev- to make the word easier to pronounce.
There is only one word family in the English language that uses the ev- prefix: “angel”
ev + angel (messenger) = evangelism
(bringing “good” news to others)

6. Interesting Eu- Words Eu + calypt (cover) = eucalyptus
(this plant is so named because its buds are “well” “covered” by cones; it is the only food source for koala bears)
Eu + gen (birth, produce) = Eugene
(a man’s name that literally means “well” “born” or noble)
Eu + nike (victory) = Eunice
(a woman’s name that literally means “good” “victory”; one famous woman with this name was Eunice Kennedy Shriver, President John F. Kennedy’s sister)

7. Dys-
The dys- prefix is often found in words that describe “improper” functioning of the body
dys + topos(place) = dystopia
(“bad” community where people often live fearful lives)
dys + troph (growth) = dystrophy
(“improper” growth)

8. Practice
Use the context clues to determine what each of these eu-, ev-, and dys- words has to do with “good, well” or “bad, improper”.
The evangelist preached to many people, but the televangelist was able to reach millions.
“Second-hand” is often a euphemism for “used.”
Since he suffered from dyspepsia, he could not eat certain foods.
Some people with dysfunctional kidneys need a kidney transplant.
Eugenics and euthanasia are controversial life-and-death issues.

9. Practice
The evangelist preached to many people, but the televangelist was able to reach millions. Evangelist is someone who shares the “good news”, often the bible; a televangelist shares the good news through the television
“Second-hand” is often a euphemism for “used.” a “good” or polite way of saying something perceived as negative
Since he suffered from dyspepsia, he could not eat certain foods. “bad” digestion or an upset stomach
Some people with dysfunctional kidneys need a kidney transplant. “bad” function or not working properly
Eugenics and euthanasia are controversial life-and-death issues. Eugenics is “good” “birth” or genetically engineering the creation of a “desirable” being; euthanasia is “good” “death” or a painless death used to end suffering

10. Practice
Use the definitions of the bases, prefixes, and suffixes, if provided, and the context of the sentence to determine the meaning of the bolded words.
The touching eulogy and euphonious music made them feel euphoric despite their sadness.
(the base log means “word”; the base phon means “sound”; the base phor means “agent” or “bearer”)

11. Practice
The touching eulogy and euphonious music made them feel euphoric despite their sadness.
Eulogy—a speech of “good” or kind words about a deceased person
Euphonious— “sounding” “good” or pleasing to the listener
Euphoric– “bearing” or having a “good” feeling

12. Practice
Use the definitions of the bases, prefixes, and suffixes, if provided, and the context of the sentence to determine the meaning of the bolded words.
They had dysphonia from too much shouting and dysentery from too much eating, so they felt dysphoric even though their team won the game.
(the base phon means “sound”, the base enteron means “intestine”, the base phor means “agent” or “bearer”)

13. Practice
They had dysphonia from too much shouting and dysentery from too much eating, so they felt dysphoric even though their team won the game.
Dysphonia—a “bad” “sound”; laryngitis or a hoarse voice
Dysentery— “bad” “intestines”; a digestive illness in the intestines
Dysphoric— “bearing” “bad”; having a bad feeling

14. Test Prep Eu-, ev- --these prefixes mean _________, _________
When a lake becomes full of phosphorous, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients, it undergoes a process called eutrophication. This makes the lake more productive or fertile, which in turn contributes more organic matter to the lake’s system. (the base troph means “nutrition”)
Define the word eutrophication using a definition of the prefix.

15. Test Prep Eu-, ev- --these prefixes mean good, well
When a lake becomes full of phosphorous, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients, it undergoes a process called eutrophication. This makes the lake more productive or fertile, which in turn contributes more organic matter to the lake’s system. (the base troph means “nutrition” or “nourish”)
Define the word eutrophication using a definition of the prefix. “good” “nutrition”; the proper balance of all elements needed to nourish plant life

16. Test Prep Dys- --this prefix means _________, _________
After several complaints of a racing heartbeat and shortness of breath, I encouraged my friend to visit her doctor. He diagnosed her with dysrhythmia and scheduled her to receive a pacemaker, which would regulate the electrical pulses in her heart.
Define the word dysrhythmia using a definition of the prefix.

17. Test Prep Dys- --this prefix means bad, improper
After several complaints of a racing heartbeat and shortness of breath, I encouraged my friend to visit her doctor. He diagnosed her with dysrhythmia and scheduled her to receive a pacemaker, which would regulate the electrical pulses in her heart.
Define the word dysrhythmia using a definition of the prefix.
A “bad” or “improper” rhythm of the heart; an irregular heartbeat pattern