noun

derangement

dih-RAYNJ-munt/dɪˈreɪndʒmənt/

Disruption of a normal arrangement.

A shoe on a dinner plate reveals the derangement of the table setting.

Severe disorganization of everyday object use with a supportive caregiver.

Etymology

deOld Frenchdo the opposite of

+rangeOld Frenchput into line

+mentFrenchaction or state

Undoing the act of putting things into line gives the image of throwing order into confusion. A general disturbance of order later came to mean disturbance of the intellect or reason.

In context

Storytime Haven216:04

He agreed that her mind was deranged and was exceedingly anxious to find out whence the derangement had been inherited. It was a serious thing to have in the family

📖 The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery | A Tale of Love & Freedom 💙✨

More examples

The storm brings a complete derangement of local transportation.
The novel traces the narrator's gradual descent into mental derangement.
In a mathematical derangement, no item remains in its original position.

Forms

derangement · derangements

derange verb — To disrupt normal order or functioning.

Similar words

disruption: Emphasizes interruption of an activity, process, or system.
disorder: Emphasizes a disorganized condition rather than the disruption itself.
disturbance: Often suggests a temporary interruption of calm or normal functioning.