DISTURB


Meaning of DISTURB in English

v.

Pronunciation: di- ' st ə 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

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

1 a : to interfere with : INTERRUPT < disturb ing the flow of traffic> b : to alter the position or arrangement of <the items on her desk had been disturb ed > c : to upset the natural and especially the ecological balance or relations of <wetlands disturb ed by development>

2 a : to destroy the tranquillity or composure of <the noisy lawnmower disturb ed 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 \ - ' st ə r-bi ŋ -l ē \ adverb

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.