Latin · prefix

de-

down, away; removal

Forms

de-
dé- — French spelling in words borrowed from French.

Origin

Latin de, ‘down from; away from’; its deeper ancestry is uncertain.

Note

The prefix can also strengthen an action without suggesting downward movement.

Words sharing this root

condescendTo act toward others from a presumed superior position.condescensionTreating others as beneath oneself.debateDiscussion or consideration of opposing views.debentureA debt instrument backed by the issuer’s general credit rather than specific assets.debitA charge recorded against an account.decadenceExcessive luxury or self-indulgence seen as a sign of moral or cultural decline.decadentMarked by moral decline through self-indulgence.decapitationThe act or result of cutting off a head.decayGradual loss of soundness through breakdown.deceaseThe end of a person's life.decedentA person who has died, especially in legal contexts.deceitDishonest behavior intended to mislead someone.deceiveTo make someone believe something false.deceptionThe act or means of making someone believe something false.deceptiveLikely or intended to mislead.decideTo reach a judgment that settles a choice or issue.deciduousShedding or being shed naturally after a period of growth.decisionA judgment or choice that settles a question or determines what to do.decisiveSettling a matter firmly and clearly.declaimTo speak or recite aloud in a formal or dramatic manner.declarationA formal or official statement.declaratoryMaking an explicit formal statement.declareTo state something formally, clearly, or publicly.declinationA downward slope or inclination.declinationA polite refusal.declinationVariation in a noun, pronoun, or adjective to express grammatical function.declinationAngular distance north or south of the celestial equator.declineto refuse politely declinea change to a lower or worse state decreaseA reduction in amount, size, or degree, or to become or make smaller.decreeAn authoritative order or decision, or the act of issuing one.dedicateTo formally set something apart for a purpose or person.dedicationCommitment of something to a particular purpose or person.deduceTo reach a conclusion by reasoning from evidence or principles.deductTo take an amount away from a total.deductionThe removal of an amount from a total, or the amount removed.deductionReasoning from general principles to a specific conclusion.deductiveInvolving subtraction or removal.deductiveUsing general principles to reach specific conclusions.defaultFailure to make a required payment or fulfill an obligation.defaultAn option used automatically when no other choice is made.defectTo abandon one side or country for another.defectA flaw or imperfection.defectionThe act of abandoning allegiance to a country, group, or cause.defectiveFlawed or not working properly.defendantA person or party accused or sued in court.defenseAction protecting something against attack.deferenceRespectful yielding to another person's judgment or wishes.deficiencyA lack or shortage of something needed or expected.deficientLacking enough of something necessary or expected.deficitAn amount by which something falls short of what is needed or expected.defineTo establish the precise boundaries or identity of something.definiteClearly specified rather than uncertain.definitionThe clear establishment of boundaries or distinguishing features.definitiveEstablishing something conclusively and precisely.deflectTo turn something aside from its course.deflectionA displacement from a previous direction or position.deflowerTo deprive someone of sexual virginity.deformTo change from a normal or proper shape.deformationA change that distorts the shape or structure of something.deformityA marked irregularity in the shape or structure of a body or object.defraudTo take money, property, or rights from someone by deception.defunctNo longer existing or operating.degeneracyA decline in quality, condition, or moral standards.degenerateTo deteriorate from a sounder or more organized state.degenerationGradual worsening in quality or condition.delegateTo entrust another person with authority to act.delegationThe entrusting of representative authority to others.deleteTo remove written or recorded content.deletionThe removal or absence of part of something.deliciousVery pleasing, especially in taste.delineateTo represent something by clearly tracing its features.delineationA clear tracing of boundaries or distinguishing features.delinquencyFailure to meet a duty or required standard.delinquentFailing to meet a legal or practical obligation.deliriumA disturbed state of acute mental confusion.deliverTo bring something to its intended recipient or completion.deliverTo help a baby be born.deliverTo free someone from danger or captivity.deliveranceRelease from danger, suffering, or oppression.deliveryThe sending or presentation of something to its destination.deliveryThe birth of a baby.deludeTo make someone believe something that is not true.delusionA false belief about reality, often held despite evidence against it.demandA strong requirement or request for something.demobilizationThe process of ending active service in an organized force or effort.demolishTo destroy a structure completely.demolitionThe act of tearing down or completely destroying something.demonstrableAble to be shown or clearly proved.demonstrateTo take part in a public protest.demonstrateTo show something clearly through evidence, examples, or explanation.demonstrationA showing that makes something evident.demonstrationAn organized public gathering expressing opposition or support.demurAn expression of objection or reluctance.denominationA named category within a larger system.denominatorThe lower number of a fraction specifying its unit of division.denoteTo mean or stand for something.denounceTo publicly accuse someone or condemn something as wrong.denyTo refuse acknowledgment or acceptance of something.departTo leave a place or established position.departmentA distinct division responsible for a particular function.departmentalRelating to a division of an organization or institution.dependTo rely on something as a necessary condition or support.dependenceReliance on something necessary to a result or continued function.dependentRequiring another thing for support or determination.depictRepresent in words or images.depictionA portrayal of someone or something in words, images, or performance.depleteTo use up or greatly reduce a supply.depletionThe reduction or using up of a supply or resource.deploreTo express deep distress or disapproval about something.deponentA person who gives testimony under oath, especially in a deposition.deportConduct oneself in a particular manner.deportOfficially expel a foreign national from a country.deportationThe forced removal of a person from a country or place.depositSomething put down and left in a place or another's keeping.depositionThe placing or settling of something in a location.depositionSworn testimony taken outside court for later legal use.depositionThe removal of a ruler or official from power.depraveTo corrupt someone's moral character.deprecateTo express disapproval of something or discourage its use.depreciateTo reduce the value attributed to something.depredationDestruction or theft caused by attack or exploitation.depressTo press or bring something to a lower level.depressedVery unhappy, or reduced below a usual level.depressingCausing sadness or discouragement.depressionA sustained lowering of mood or activity.depressionA lowering below the surrounding level.depressorSomething that moves or forces another thing downward.deprivationHarmful lack or denial of something needed or normally available.depriveTo keep someone from having or enjoying something.deputeTo appoint someone to act on another's behalf.derelictLeft neglected through failure of care or duty.derelictionSerious neglect of an obligation or responsibility.derideTo mock someone or something with contempt.derisionMockery that shows contempt.derogatoryExpressing disrespect or a low opinion.descendTo move from a higher position to a lower one.descendantA later being or form originating from an earlier one.describeTo trace the outline or defining features of something.descriptionA spoken or written account of what something is like.descriptionA type or category of person or thing.descriptiveReporting how something actually is.desertA dry region with little rainfall or vegetation.desertionThe act of abandoning someone or something.deserveTo be worthy of receiving something because of actions or qualities.desiccateTo dry thoroughly by removing moisture.desiccationThe process or state of drying out thoroughly.designAn intentional plan for a result or arrangement.designateTo officially select or identify for a particular role.designationAn official naming for a category or purpose.desistTo stop doing something.desperateDriven by overwhelming need or a loss of hope.desperationA state of distress that makes people feel they must do anything to escape it.despicableDeserving strong dislike because of morally bad behavior.despiseTo strongly dislike and have no respect for someone or something.despiteWithout being prevented by despiteScornful ill will toward someone despoilTo strip something of what is valuable in it.despondencyA state of deep discouragement or loss of hope.despondentVery discouraged and without hope.destituteLacking the basic necessities of life.destitutionExtreme poverty in which basic necessities are lacking.destroyTo damage something beyond continued survival or function.destructDestroying something, especially through a built-in mechanism.destructibleAble to be destroyed or damaged beyond use.destructionThe act or result of ruining something completely.destructiveCausing damage, harm, or ruin.desultoryProceeding without a clear plan or steady effort.detainTo prevent someone from leaving or proceeding.detectNotice or discover the presence of something.detectionThe act or process of discovering or noticing something.detectiveSomeone whose job is to investigate crimes or other mysteries.detectorA device or person that finds or identifies something.detentionThe compulsory keeping of someone in a place.deterTo discourage or prevent someone from acting through fear, doubt, or difficulty.detergentA substance that removes dirt or grease, or having this cleaning effect.determinateHaving a fixed endpoint or limit.determinationThe settling of a matter into a definite result.determineTo establish something definitely.deterrentSomething that discourages action by making it seem risky or difficult.detestTo dislike very strongly.detestableDeserving intense dislike or disgust.detonateTo explode or cause something to explode.detonationAn explosion in which a reaction spreads through a shock wave.detractTo make something seem less valuable, effective, or good.detrimentHarm or disadvantage caused to someone or something.detritusLoose remains left by decay or breakdown.devastationOverwhelming destruction or ruin.deviantDeparting from accepted standards or behavior, or a person who does so.deviateTo depart from an established course or norm.deviationA departure from a reference course or value.deviousUsing secretive or dishonest methods to achieve a goal.devolveTo pass downward to a lower level or state.devoteGive time, effort, resources, or loyalty to someone or something.devoteeA person strongly devoted to someone or something.devotionDeep and sustained commitment to someone or something.devourTo consume rapidly and eagerly.devoutDeeply and sincerely committed, especially to a religious faith.diminishMake or become smaller or less significant.diminutionA decrease in size, amount, or importance.diminutiveUnusually small.indefatigableContinuing with energy despite effort or difficulty indefiniteNot clearly defined or fixed in nature, extent, or duration.indeterminateNot fixed or clearly known.nondescriptWithout distinctive or easily recognizable features.