rhizoverbBeta
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.

22 / 37
An older woman seated beside her removed shoe gently rubs a mildly reddened heel, showing a restrained wince rather than severe pain.
noun / verb

discomfort

dis-KUM-fert/dɪsˈkʌmfərt/

Physical or mental unease.

Etymology
disOld Frenchaway, apart; undoing or absence
+comLatinwith, together; sometimes thoroughly
+fortLatinstrong or brave

The core is “strong,” with com- perhaps adding emphasis; dis- reverses that strengthening. The word moved from loss of courage or distress to the milder sense of physical or emotional unease.

Full entry

Related word entries