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Use of "Dis" to form an antonym
3

Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

(OP)
Adding "Dis" as a prefix to word is often used to form an antonym of the base word.

Given:

Discombobulate - To throw into a state of confusion.

It seems that it should follow:

Combobulate - To bring into order.

Yet I can find no reference to combobulate in my dictionaries.

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Compare and contrast:
Tress - a lock of hair
Distress - panic over baldness (?)

Cuss - to swear
Discuss - talk politely together

Tance - an obsolete measure of proximity (?)
Distance - non proximity

Gust - a quick blast of atmospheric wind
Disgust - (I'll leave that one to you!)

I suspect you will find that discombobulate is a fairly recent (maybe as old as early 1800's) made up nonsense word, and as such it's etymology may not be as expected!

Good Luck
johnwm

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

It seems that the etymology of discombobulate is that it's probably an alteration of the word discompose.  If that is the case, then the word was not formed by prepending "dis" to a root word.

Consider also the following:
Disinterested vs uninterested.

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Gruntled employees with M-16's vs. disgruntled employees with M-16's

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

appointment - a set time to meet with someone
disappointment - the feeling that settles when they don't show up

charge - a frontal assault by cavalry or infantry
discharge - to fire one's weapon to resist the charge of the opposing force

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Can we forget the disenfranchised Florida voters?
What a lurid display.  

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RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Pete,

You mean they weren't playing, or do you mean it wasn't a theatrical production. (display)

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Good one Steve.  I think the liberal reporters wanted to disguise the truth.

I have heard that "disaster" comes from
dis (bad)
aster (star)  (as in asterisk, Aster the flower etc)

In ancient times, astrologers pretended to have the ability to see the future from the stars.  
A bad star was an omen of disaster.

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RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

But disinterested (impartial) isn't the same as uninterested (bored). Right ?

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Nevertheless, I don't use dismay to refer any other month. I hope this will improve my dismal performance in this forum.

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

I am disillusioned (meaning disenchanted and disappointed) and dismayed that dissolute disparaging discussion of Floridian politics is disturbing the peace of this forum .

Patricia Lougheed

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of the Eng-Tips Forums.

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

Dismal?
If dis means bad, so too does Mal as in maloderous.
Perhaps maladjusted and adjusted?
Aha! Mal is another useful bolt-on.

JMW
www.viscoanalyser.com
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RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

This thread reminds me of a passage from Douglas Adams' "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency":

"Come, let us go. Let us leave this festering hellhole. Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable. Let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."

M

--
Dr Michael F Platten

RE: Use of "Dis" to form an antonym

If "pro" is the opposite of "con", what is the opposite if "progress"? .....

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