DictionaryRoot: des-
Old French
des-
away, apart; undoing or absence
Forms
- des-
- de- — The s disappeared in some later French forms.
- dis- — A related form retained or restored in some words.
Origin
Chiefly from Latin dis-, “apart,” with influence from Latin de-, “down, away.”
Note
Several older prefixes came together in French, so the modern form does not always reveal just one source.
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noun / verb
disadvantage
dis-ud-VAN-tij/dˌɪsʌdvˈæntɪdʒ/
A condition that reduces chances of success, or placing someone in that condition.
Etymology
The prefix reverses the idea of profit or superiority. The word first described loss or injury to someone's interests, then came to name a condition that makes success harder.
Related word entries
- debark
- degradation
- degrade
- demise
- denouement
- deranged
- derangement
- detach
- detour
- develop
- disadvantage
- disagree
- disagreeable
- disallow
- disarm
- disavow
- disburse
- disclaim
- disclaimer
- disclose
- discomfiture
- discomfort
- discourage
- disdain
- disease
- disguise
- disheveled
- dishonesty
- dislodge
- disloyal
- disloyalty
- disparage
- disparagement
- dispossess
- disprove
- divest
- redevelop