[dis.ad.van.tage] n [ME disavauntage, fr. MF desavantage, fr. OF, fr. des- dis- + avantage advantage] (14c) 1: loss or damage esp. to reputation, credit, or finances: detriment
2. a: an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial condition "we were at a ~" b: handicap "it put us under a serious ~"
[2]disadvantage vt (ca. 1534): to place at a disadvantage: harm