malfunction
|mal/func/tion|
B2
/mælˈfʌŋkʃən/
failure to function
Etymology
Etymology Information
'malfunction' originates from the prefix 'mal-' meaning 'bad' or 'wrong' and the word 'function' from Latin 'functio', meaning 'performance'.
Historical Evolution
'malfunction' was formed in the 20th century by combining 'mal-' with 'function'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'bad performance', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'failure to function'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a failure to function in a normal or satisfactory manner.
The car's engine had a malfunction, causing it to stop suddenly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to fail to function normally or satisfactorily.
The computer started to malfunction after the software update.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35