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कु-. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
कु-, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
कु- in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
कु- you have here. The definition of the word
कु- will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
कु-, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Hindi
Etymology
Borrowed from Sanskrit कु- (ku-).
Pronunciation
Prefix
कु- • (ku-)
- mal-, ill-, mis-; prefix for nouns that are bad, useless, or defective
- Synonym: बद- (bad-)
- कु- (ku-) + कर्म (karm, “deed”) → कुकर्म (kukarm, “misdeed”)
Usage notes
This prefix is typically applied to Sanskrit loanwords. It is often opposed to the prefix सु- (su-, “well-”).
Derived terms
References
Sanskrit
Etymology
According to Monier-Williams, of the same origin as कू (kū, “where”) as in कुत्र (kutra), ultimately formed from the interrogative pronoun stem *kʷ- as in *kʷos, *kʷis. See कु (ku).
Pronunciation
Prefix
कु- • (ku-)
- mal-, ill-, mis-; a prefix implying deterioration, depreciation, deficiency, want, littleness, hindrance, reproach, contempt, guilt
- कु- (ku-) + ख्याति (khyāti, “repute”) → कुख्याति (kukhyāti, “ill-repute”)
Derived terms
References