Where does “dysfunctional” come from?
Dysfunctional derives from English dysfunction, which combines the Ancient Greek prefix δυσ- meaning "bad" with Latin functus, the past participle of fungor meaning "to perform or discharge."
dysfunctional (English): Not performing its proper or intended function;...
Definitions
- Not performing its proper or intended function;...
Ancestry of “dysfunctional”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | dysfunction | A failure to function in an expected or complete... |
| 2 | English | function | What something does or is used for; A... |
| 3 | Middle French | function | function what something's intended use is |
| 4 | Latin | functiō | performance, execution (of a task) |
| 5 | Latin | -tiō | tion, -ation, -ing |
| 6 | Latin | dissertātiō | (spoken) dissertation, discourse, disquisition |
| 7 | Latin | dissertus | arranged, disposed; explained |
| 8 | Latin | disserere | second-person singular future passive indicative... |
| 9 | Latin | dis- | asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;... |
| 10 | Latin | calceus | shoe |
| 11 | Latin | calx | limestone; chalk; the finish line |
| 12 | Ancient Greek | χάλιξ | small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble |