What does the prefix 'mal-' represent?

The prefix 'mal-' signifies something that is bad or harmful. It is derived from Latin, where it is used to denote poor quality or negative conditions. For instance, in medical terminology, it appears in words such as 'malnutrition,' which refers to inadequate nutrition, indicating a negative state of health. This prefix consistently conveys the notion of something being detrimental or undesirable, making it a clear marker for conditions or attributes that are unfavorable. The other prefixes provided represent different meanings: for instance, one that means 'good' indicates positive conditions, while others pertain to falsehood or size, which do not align with the meaning of 'mal-.'