discompose

[ dis-kuhm-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·com·posed, dis·com·pos·ing.

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; disorder; unsettle:

   The breeze discomposed the bouquet.

2. to disturb the composure of; agitate; perturb:

   The bad news discomposed us.

   Synonyms: disconcert, discomfit

discompose

/ ˌdɪskəmˈpəʊz /

verb

1. to disturb the composure of; disconcert
2. rare.
   to disarrange

Derived Forms

• ˌdiscomˈposure, noun
• ˌdiscomˈposedly, adverb
• ˌdiscomˈposingly, adverb

Other Words From

• discom·posed·ly adverb
• discom·posing·ly adverb
• undis·com·posed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of discompose¹

First recorded in 1475–85; dis- ¹ + compose

Example Sentences

“You will repay me entirely if you do not discompose yourself, but get well as fast as you can; and since you appear in such good spirits, I may speak to you on one subject, may I not?”

From Literature

Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in Darcy’s opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected with that corps.

From Literature

This did not seem to discompose him; on the contrary, he looked rather amused.

From Literature

These worries used to discompose me but I have since realised that they are common to oncologists whose work knits close bonds with their patients.

From The Guardian

The small, clear, grey eye of brother Martin, however, caught Clement's movements in a moment, and laying his hand upon the sleeve of the pilgrim's gown, he led him, with a quick step, through a small side door that opened into the cloister, and thence to his own cell, leaving the inquisitive monk, who did not choose to discompose his dignity, or shake his fat sides by rapid motion, behind them in the church.

From Project Gutenberg