dys·func·tion

[dis-fuhngk-shuhn]
noun
1.
Medicine/Medical. malfunctioning, as of an organ or structure of the body.
2.
any malfunctioning part or element: the dysfunctions of the country's economy.
3.
Sociology. a consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.

Origin:
1915–20; dys- + function

dys·func·tion·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
dysfunction (dɪsˈfʌŋkʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  med any disturbance or abnormality in the function of an organ or part
2.  (esp of a family) failure to show the characteristics or fulfil the purposes accepted as normal or beneficial

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Dysfunction is always a great word to know.
So is mandible. Does it mean:
the bone of the lower jaw.
the outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin, covering the true skin or corium.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

dysfunction
1916, from dys- "bad, abnormal, difficult" + function.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

dysfunction dys·func·tion or dis·func·tion (dĭs-fŭngk'shən)
n.
Abnormal or impaired functioning, especially of a bodily system or organ.


dys·func'tion·al adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
Meanwhile, dysfunction of the mirror neuron system has been linked to developmental disorders, such as autism.
For the first time, a therapy had been proved to reduce dysfunction caused by spinal cord trauma.
It is true that there is some measure of disaffection and even dysfunction.
It's no secret that money tends to bolster the emotional dysfunction that
  exists in all families.
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