pərˈtərb; pəˈtə̄b, -təib transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English perturben, from Middle French perturber, from Latin perturbare, from per-, intensive prefix + turbare to throw into disorder, disturb, make turbid — more at per- , turbid
1. : to disturb considerably in mind : make quite uneasy : cause to be upset or worried or alarmed : disquiet , unsettle
was perturbed by the news
had not expected this development and it rather perturbed him
2. : to put into considerable disorder or confusion : throw out of kilter : derange
perturbing good social order with their lies and propaganda
3.
a. : to cause (a planet or other celestial body) to deviate from a theoretically regular orbital motion usually as a result of interposed or otherwise extraordinary gravitational pull
b. : to disturb or interfere with or modify the usual or expected motion or course or arrangement of (as atoms)
interaction between a hydrogen atom perturbed by a passing ion — Physical Review
4. : to subject to tonal perturbation
Synonyms: see discompose