dislocate

[ dis-loh-keyt, dis-loh-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·lo·cat·ed, dis·lo·cat·ing

1. to put out of place; put out of proper relative position; displace:

   The glacier dislocated great stones. The earthquake dislocated several buildings.

2. to put out of joint or out of position, as a limb or an organ.
3. to throw out of order; upset; disorder:

   Frequent strikes dislocated the economy.

noun

1. Gymnastics. a maneuver on the rings in which a gymnast in an inverted pike position turns over to swing down while pushing the arms out and turning them so that the palms are facing out when the body turns over.

dislocate

/ ˈdɪsləˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to disrupt or shift out of place or position
2. to displace (an organ or part) from its normal position, esp a bone from its joint

Other Words From

• un·dislo·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dislocate¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin dislocātus (past participle of dislocāre ), equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + locātus placed; locate

Example Sentences

At such moments the auto would come back to the trail with a crash that threatened to dislocate every spring in its composition.

From Project Gutenberg

And he shook Nansen by the hand so heartily as well nigh to dislocate his wrist, his dark eyes beaming with delight.

From Project Gutenberg

A reasonable amount of hard shaking would dislocate its muddy basis and engulf the city.

From Project Gutenberg

The devil we don't know is what we'll become if we radically dislocate Syndic life and attitudes.

From Project Gutenberg

We're going to have a little bridge built over that ditch on Lane Avenue so's we women don't dislocate our joints jumping over it.

From Project Gutenberg