Prefix dis-

The prefix dis- is a derivational morpheme which can be attached to verbs to form new verbs. This prefix has several meanings but its basic meaning is ‘not’

new VERB. The new verb is indicated by the change of meaning. In this case, the prefix dis- brings the basic meaning ‘not’ to the verb.

The prefix dis- can be attached to nouns to form new nouns. The following are the examples.

Prefix Base Derived word Meaning
(Noun) (Noun)dis- advantage disadvantage ‘unfavorable condition’
dis- comfort discomfort ‘absence of comfort’
dis- harmony disharmony ‘lack of harmony’
dis- honor dishonor ‘absence of honor’

Based on the examples above, the rule of the prefix dis- attached to nouns can be stated as: {dis-}+ NOUN --> new NOUN. The new noun is indicated by the change of meaning. In this case, the prefix dis- brings the basic meaning ‘not’ to the noun.

The prefix dis- can also be attached to adjectives to form new adjectives. The examples are as follows:

Prefix Base Derived word Meaning
(Adjective) (Adjective)dis- able disable ‘make unable to do something’
dis- honest dishonest ‘not honest’
dis- similar dissimilar ‘not similar’

Based on the examples above, the rule of the prefix dis- attached to adjectives can be stated as: {dis-}+ ADJECTIVE --> new ADJECTIVE. The new adjective is indicated by the change of meaning. In this case, the prefix dis- brings the basic meaning ‘not’ to the adjectives. The prefix dis- attached to verbs are more productive than that attached to nouns and adjectives (Bauer, 1983 : 220).


REFERENCE

Bauer, Laurie. 1983. English Word Formation. New York: Cambridge University Press.

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