dis-, di-, dif-

(Latin: separation, apart, asunder; removal, away, from; negation, deprivation, undoing, reversal, utterly, completely; in different directions)

The meaning of dis- varies with different words; dif-, assimilated form of dis- before f; di-, form of dis- before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, and v.

disapprove (verb), disapproves; disapproved; disapproving
1. To think that something is wrong or reprehensible; to censure or to condemn in opinion.
2. To withhold approval from; to decline, to sanction: Henry's father disapproved of his behavior.
3. To have an unfavorable opinion: Shirley disapproves of drinking alcohol to an excess.
4. To refuse to approve; to reject.
disapprovingly
Showing disapproval.
disarm (verb), disarms; disarmed; disarming
disarmament
disarming (adjective), more disarming, most disarming
A reference to reducing hostility and trying to produce a friendly attitude and behavior: After Jack and Jill’s son kicked his ball through the window of the house next door, Jack let his wife, with her disarming smile and pleasing personality, talk to their neighbor about the accident.
Pertaining to a diminishment of fear, suspicion. or fear.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

disassociate
1. To end an association with another person or group.
2. To deny any connection or involvement with someone or something.
disassociation
1. The termination of an association with another person or group.
2. The denial of any connection or involvement with someone or something else.
3. The state of being unconnected in memory or imagination.
4. A state in which some integrated part of a person's life becomes separated from the rest of the personality and functions independently.
disaster
disastrophism
disastrosly
disastrous
disastrously
disavow (verb), disavows; disavowed; disavowing
To deny any knowledge of, responsibility for, or any association with someone or something: Jack suddenly disavowed his friendship with Susan, although they had had many good times together over the years.
disavowal (s) (noun), disavowals (pl)
1. The denial of any connection with, or knowledge of, someone or something: Bob's disavowals indicated that he had no idea as to how the window was broken at the back of his house.
2. A repudiation or denial: Lucinda's disavowal indicated that there was no way that she could know what the other students were talking about.
disavowedly (adverb), more disavowedly, most disavowedly
A reference to disclaiming any association with, or connection with, and repudiating any responsibility for any action that has taken place: Greg disavowedly stated that he never had anything to do with the crime that was committed yesterday.