Disturb:
Main Entry:
dis·turb
Pronunciation:
\di-ˈstərb\
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
Date:
14th century
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
synonyms see discompose
— dis·turb·er noun
— dis·turb·ing·ly \-ˈstər-biŋ-lē\ adverb
