pref.
Function: combining form
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from mal bad (fr. Latin malus ) & mal badly, from Latin male, from malus
1 a : bad < mal practice> b : badly < mal odorous>
2 a : abnormal < mal formation> b : abnormally < mal formed>
3 a : inadequate < mal adjustment> b : inadequately < mal nourished>