dis-, di-, dif-

1. Relating to dissertations.
2. Resembling a dissertation.

A writer of dissertations.

Of or pertaining to a dissertation or an extended treatment of a subject; especially, in writing.

Someone who talks or holds forth formally about a topic.

To fail to serve, to do injury or mischief to, to damage, to treat badly, to hurt, to harm: "He disserved you by refusing to help you."

"Do you think he will disserve you again?"

1. An action that causes harm or difficulty: "You have done a disservice to the people by not cooperating with the mayor."
2. To do something that makes the opinions of people about someone or something not to be as good as it should be: "To describe her as merely a journalist is to do her a disservice."

"She did a great disservice to the professionals at the day-care center when she referred to them as 'babysitters'."

"Calling her lazy and uncaring does the nurse a great disservice."

3. An action that is intended to help others but which turns out badly: "He did a disservice to readers by providing the wrong information even though he sincerely thought he was doing the right thing."

An opposition to an authority or a disagreement with a prevailing opinion or belief; whether in a group, a family, a larger public or government organization, etc.: Broadly defined, dissidence is the belief of people who actively oppose an established political policy, organization, or structure. © ALL rights are reserved.

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A reference to a disagreement with others, as in opinion or belief: The dissident students objected to the teacher's sudden announcement that there would be a quiz regarding the contents of the homework that was assigned the day before.

A judge ordered that dissident Kim Davis should remain in jail for her continued refusal to either issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples or to allow her deputies to do it.

There were also three other dissident clerks in Kentucky who have refused to issue wedding licenses; despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s order legalizing same-sex matrimony.

© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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

1. Someone who does not agree with some established policy: A dissident is often against authoritarian regimes or some established constitutional order which he or she does not agree with.

In totalitarian regimes, dissidents are often punished with lengthy prison terms, execution, economic deprivation, or confiscation of their property.

2. A person who is characterized by departing from accepted beliefs or standards: Political dissidents primarily use non-violent means of political disagreement, including voicing criticism of the government or a dominating ideology; but dissidents can also attempt to displace or overthrow the established government by achieving popular support and inciting a revolution or a rebellion.
3. Etymology: From Latin dissidentem and dissidere, "to be remote, to disagree, to be removed from"; "to sit apart"; derived from dis-, "apart" + sedere, "to sit".

1. A reference to or characterized by someone who departs from accepted beliefs or standards.
3. Relating to anyone who disagrees; especially, with a majority.

1. Differing in one or more respects; not alike.
2. Characteristic of being different.

1. The fact, or state, of being different in one or more respects.
2. A point of difference or distinction.

In a dissimilar manner or in a varied style.

To make or to cause someone or something to become different from others.

A condition or quality of differing in one or more respects from someone or something else: Although the girls were twins, the dissimilitude between them was astonishing because they were unlike in many ways; including their hair color, their noses, and their mannerisms!