13. in-, il-, im-, ir-: “not” or “un”

14.bene-: “good”, “well”

15. mal-, male-: “evil”, “ill”, “bad”, “Badly”

Vocabulary Chapter 4 (Groups 13-15)

illegibleNot legible; impossible or hard to read; undecipherableI could read most of the signatures, but a few were illegible.

IlliterateNot literate; unable to read or write; uneducatedThe new nation undertook to teach its illiterate citizens to read and write.

illogicalNot logical; not observing the rules of logic (correct reasoning); irrational; fallaciousIt is illogical to vote for a candidate whom you have not faith in. .

immaculateNot spotted; absolutely clean; stainlessBefore dinner, the tablecloth was immaculate.

immatureNot mature; not fully grown or developed; young; childishSeniors often consider sophomores too immature.

impunityState of being not punished; freedom from punishment, harm, loss, etc.; immunityAs a result of stricter enforcement, speeders are no longer able to break the law with impunity.

inaccessibleNot accessible; unreachable; hard to get to; unapproachableFor most of the year, the Inuit settlements in northern Quebec are inaccessible, except by air.

incessantNot ceasing; continuing without interruption; interminable; ceaselessIt is almost impossible to cross the street during the rush hour because of the incessant flow of traffic.

Inflexible Not flexible; not easily bent; firm; unyieldingNo compromise is possible when both sides remain inflexible

ingratitudeState of being not grateful; ungratefulness; lack of gratitudeValerie refuses to let me see her notes, though I have always lent her mine. What ingratitude!

inhospitableNot hospitable; not showing kindness to guests and strangers; unfriendlyWhen the visitors come to our school, we should make them feel at home; otherwise they will think we are inhospitable.

insoluble 1. not soluble; incapable of being solved; unsolvable; irresolvableScientists are finding solutions to many problems that formerly seemed insoluble.

2. Not capable of being dissolved

Salt dissolves in water, but sand is insoluble.

irreconcilableNot reconcilable; not able to be brought into friendly accord or compromise; incompatibleAfter Romeo and Juliet died, their families, who had been irreconcilable enemies, became friends.

irrelevantNot relevant; inapplicable; off the topic; extraneousStick to the topic; don’t make irrelevant remarks.

irrevocableNot revocable; incapable of being recalled or revoked; unalterable; irreversibleAs an umpire’s decision is irrevocable, it is useless to argue over a call.

benediction(literally, “good saying”) blessing; good wishes; approbationRobinson Crusoe ran off to sea against his parents’ wishes and without their benediction.

Malediction(literally, “evil saying”) curseWith her dying breath, Queen Dido pronounced a malediction on Aeneas and all his descendants.

benefactor(literally, “one who does good”) person who gives kindly aid, money, or a similar benefitThe museum could not have been built without the gift of ten million dollars by a wealthy benefactor.

malefactor(literally, “one who does evil”) offender; evildoer; criminalShortly after the crime, the malefactor was apprehended and brought to trial.

beneficialProductive of good; helpful; advantageousRest is usually beneficial to a person suffering from a bad cold.

beneficiaryPerson receiving some good; advantage; or benefitThe sick and the needy will be the beneficiaries of your gift to the community fund.

benevolent(literally, “wishing well”) disposed to promote the welfare of others; kind; charitableBenevolent employers have a sincere concern for the welfare of their employees.

malevolent(Literally, “wishing ill”) showing ill will; spiteful; malicious; viciousIn Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Kidnapped, David Balfour visits a malevolent uncle who tries to kill him.

maladjustedBadly adjusted; out of harmony with one’s environmentHaving grown up in a quiet small town, Jesse was now a maladjusted city dweller who complained about noise and crowds.

maliceIll will; intention or desire to harm another; enmity; malevolenceMy tire did not have a leak; someone had deflated it out of malice.

malnutritionBad or faulty nutrition; poor nourishmentThe lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in a person’ diet may cause malnutrition.

maltreatTreat badly or roughly; mistreat; abuseJen felt maltreated when the teacher scolded her for something that was not her fault.