disturb

One entry found for disturb.

Main Entry: dis·turb
Pronunciation: di-'st&rb
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English disturben, destourben, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French destorber, from Latin disturbare, from dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, from turba disorder -- more at TURBID
transitive verb
1 a : to interfere with : INTERRUPT <disturbing the flow of traffic> b : to alter the position or arrangement of <the items on her desk had been disturbed> c : to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of <wetlands disturbed by development>
2 a : to destroy the tranquillity or composure of <the noisy lawnmower disturbed their sleep> b : to throw into disorder c : ALARM d : to put to inconvenience <sorry to disturb you at such a late hour>
intransitive verb : to cause disturbance
synonym see DISCOMPOSE
- dis·turb·er noun
- dis·turb·ing·ly /-'st&r-bi[ng]-lE/ adverb