A Word A Day : Malinger

Monday, 5th May 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Malinger



( Verb )



Past and past participle : malingered
Present participle : malingering
3rd person present singular : malingers)


Pronunciation : ma-líng-ger


Definition:



1. To feign illness or other incapacity in order to avoid duty or work

2. To avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill


In the context of medicine, malingering is the act of intentionally feigning or exaggerating physical or psychological symptoms for personal gain.


Etymology:


Late 18th century - French malingre - sickly


Synonyms:


shirk, skive, bunk off, take a sickie, play hooky, be awol, duck, sidestep, shun


Antonyms:


be honest


Contextual Examples:


• My speciality is subjecting the data I obtain to successive mathematical corrective formulas to filter the truly psychotic from those who are
malingering.

• It is impossible to determine exactly what inspired Mary's various symptoms, but her own and other family members' letters suggest that her suffering may have been a combination of hypochondria, conscious histrionics and
malingering and unconscious rebellion against her father.

• Because he twice slapped battle-stressed soldiers in Sicily who, he thought, were merely
malingering, he was denied a major command in the Normandy landings.


Related Words:


malingerer : Noun


Enjoy this list and then get around for preparing your own list of words. There is no better way of boosting your words power. The most effective way to build your vocabulary is described in the page on Word Power. Educational research has discovered that your I.Q. is intimately related to your Word Power. Take a standard Vocabulary test and then an intelligent test, the result in both will be substantially the same. The more extensive your vocabulary, the better your chances of success, other things being equal- success in attaining your educational goals, success in moving ahead in your business or professional career, success in achieving your intellectual potential.
Previous Word| Next Word
A Word A Day | Malinger to HOME PAGE

{ezoic-ad-1}
{ez_footer_ads}