Latin · prefix

dis-

apart, away; reversal or negation

Forms

dis-
di- — Shortened in certain Latin compounds.
dif- — Used before f in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *dis, ‘apart,’ associated with the idea of ‘two.’

Note

Separating things supplied a route from physical apartness to undoing an action.

Words sharing this root

defaceTo spoil the appearance of something by marking or damaging its surface.defamationHarm to someone's reputation through false statements.defamatoryHarming someone's reputation through false or injurious statements.defameDamage people's reputations by making false statements about them.defeatTo overcome opposition and prevent its success.deferTo put off until later.defianceOpen resistance to authority or demands.defiantOpenly refusing to obey or submit to authority.defyTo resist submission to a power or demand.deployPut into position or use for a particular purpose.deploymentThe placing of resources into active use.descantDiscussion or commentary at length.descantA high melody sung or played above a main tune.differTo be unlike another in some respect.differenceA feature or extent of unlikeness.differentNot the same as another in identity or qualities.differentialRelating to a difference between amounts or cases.differentialAn infinitesimal change in a mathematical variable.differentialA comparison of possible diseases that could explain a patient's symptoms.differentialA gear mechanism that allows driven wheels to turn at different speeds.differentiateTo establish distinguishing features between things.difficultyThe need for effort to accomplish or understand something.diffidentShy or hesitant because of a lack of self-confidence.diffractionThe bending and spreading of waves around obstacles or through openings.diffuseSpread widely rather than concentrated at one point.diffusionThe spreading of something through an area, substance, or population.digestTo break down food for absorption.digestA condensed account of information.digestibleCapable of being readily broken down and absorbed.digestionThe breakdown of food into material the body can absorb.digestiveHelping the body break down food.digressTo move away from the main subject when speaking or writing.digressionA temporary departure from the main subject or course.dilapidationA state of severe disrepair or decay.dilatationThe widening or enlargement of something, especially a body passage or organ.dilateTo become wider or make something wider.dilatorySlow to act or tending to cause delay.diligenceCareful and persistent effort in a task.diligentShowing steady effort and care in one's work.dimensionAn independent direction along which extent is measured.directTo guide something along an intended course.directFollowing a straight route without intervening stages.directionThe course along which something is guided.directiveAn official instruction or something that gives authoritative guidance.directlyWithout an intervening step, delay, or change of direction.directorA person or device guiding an operation.directoryAn organized reference locating information or resources.disarrayA state of disorder or confusion, or putting something into that state.discernRecognize something through careful observation or thought.discerniblePossible to perceive or recognize.dischargeRelease from a containing place or imposed control.dischargeThe fulfillment or removal of an obligation.discolorationA change from the normal or original color.discontinuationThe act of stopping something from continuing.discontinueTo stop an ongoing activity or practice.discordDisagreement or lack of harmony between people.discordantClashing or unpleasantly out of harmony.discountA reduction in the value assigned to something.discourseDetailed discussion of a subject in speech or writing.discoverFind or become aware of something previously unknown.discreetCareful not to cause embarrassment or attract unwanted attention.discrepancyA difference between things that should agree.discreteSeparate and individually identifiable.discretionCare in speaking or acting to avoid revealing private matters or causing embarrassment discretionFreedom to decide or act using one's own judgment discussTo talk or write about a subject in detail.discussionAn examination of a topic through expressed ideas.disequilibriumA state of lacking balance or stability.disfigureTo spoil the appearance of someone or something.disgraceLoss of respect or honor through shameful behavior, or causing such a loss.dishonestNot truthful or trustworthy.dishonorLoss of respect or the act of bringing it about.dishonorableDeserving loss of respect because of shameful or unethical behavior.disinclinationA lack of willingness or desire to do something.disinviteTo withdraw an invitation previously given to someone.dislocateTo disrupt by forcing something out of its normal place.dislocationDisplacement from the normal arrangement.dismayDistress at something troubling or unexpected, or the causing of that feeling.dismissTo send away or put out of further consideration.disobedienceFailure or refusal to obey rules, orders, or authority.disobedientRefusing or failing to obey rules or authority.disobeyTo refuse or fail to follow a rule, order, or authority.disparateSo different in kind that comparison is difficult.disparityA noticeable difference or inequality between things.dispelTo make something such as doubt or fear go away.dispensableAble to be done without.dispensaryA place where medicines or medical supplies are provided.dispensationSpecial permission to be exempt from a rule or obligation.dispensationThe act of distributing or administering something.dispensationA religious system or period believed to be established by God.dispenseTo provide something to someone.dispenseTo stop using or needing something, used with “with”.dispenserA person or device supplying something in portions.disperseTo spread out or cause to spread out over an area.dispersionThe spreading of components over a wider range.displaceTo occupy a place by moving its previous occupant aside.displayA visible presentation of information or objects.displeaseTo make someone unhappy or dissatisfied.displeasureA feeling of annoyance or disapproval.disposeTo finish dealing with something by removing or settling it.disposeTo place something in a particular arrangement.dispositionThe way things are placed or distributed.dispositionA person's usual way of feeling and behaving.dispositionThe final handling of a matter or property.disputeDisagreement over a claim or issue.disruptInterrupt the normal course of an activity or process.disruptionA break in established operation or practice.dissectTo take something apart for detailed examination.dissectionThe examination of something by separating its parts.dissectionSeparation of the layers of a blood vessel wall caused by a tear.dissembleTo hide true feelings or motives by pretending.disseminateTo spread information or ideas widely.disseminationThe act of spreading something widely.dissensionDisagreement within a group.dissentDisagreement with an accepted opinion, policy, or majority position.dissidentPublicly opposing official authority or prevailing views, or a person who does so.dissimulateTo hide true feelings, motives, or beliefs by pretending.dissipateTo scatter or expend until little remains.dissipationThe spreading or wasting away of something.dissociateTo disconnect parts previously joined.dissociationThe separation of things formerly connected.dissoluteGiven to pleasure without moral restraint.dissolutionThe breaking up of a joined whole.dissolveTo lose a distinct, coherent form by dispersing.dissonanceA clash between sounds that creates tension.dissonantLacking harmony or agreement.dissuadeTo persuade someone not to do something.distanceThe interval separating things or places.distantSeparated by a great interval in space or time.distemperA contagious disease affecting dogs or other animals.distendTo swell or cause to expand from internal pressure.distentionSwelling or expansion caused by pressure from within.distillTo purify by evaporating liquid and condensing its vapor.distillationPurification through evaporation and condensation.distortTo alter something out of its true shape.distortionAn alteration that departs from an original form.distractDraw attention away from something.distractionA state of extreme agitation or distress.distractionLoss of focus or something that causes it.distressSerious suffering or trouble requiring relief.distressTo deliberately give something a worn or aged appearance.distributeTo apportion something among separate recipients or positions.distributionThe spreading of something among positions or recipients.distributorA person or device directing supplies to their recipients.districtAn area set apart for a particular purpose, or the act of dividing land into such areas.disturbTo interrupt a settled state.disturbanceA disruption of a normal or peaceful state.divergeTo move or develop in different directions.divergenceThe state or process of moving apart or becoming different.divergentDiffering from something else or developing in a different direction.diversSeveral different.diverseIncluding or showing a variety of different kinds.diversificationThe process of adding variety to reduce dependence or risk.diversifyTo make or become more varied.diversionA turn away from an original course or focus.diversityThe presence of different kinds of people or things within a group.divertTo direct attention or movement onto another course.divorceThe formal ending of a marriage.divulgeto reveal private or previously unknown information indigestibleResisting breakdown and absorption through digestion.indigestionDiscomfort caused by difficulty digesting food.indiscreetCareless about what should be kept private or handled cautiously.indissolubleImpossible to break apart.predilectionA strong liking or preference for something.