| dis- | 1. <prefix> A prefix from the Latin, whence F. Des, or sometimes de-, dis-. The Latin dis- appears as di- before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, becomes dif- before f, and either dis- or di- before j. It is from the same root as bis twice, and duo, E. Two. See Two, and cf. Bi-, Di-, Dia-. Dis- denotes separation, a parting from, as in distribute, disconnect; hence it often has the force of a privative and negative, as in disarm, disoblige, disagree. Also intensive, as in dissever. Walker's rule of pronouncing this prefix is, that the s ought always to be pronounced like z, when the next syllable is accented and begins with "a flat mute [b, d, v, g, z], a liquid [l, m, n, r], or a vowel; as, disable, disease, disorder, disuse, disband, disdain, disgrace, disvalue, disjoin, dislike, dislodge, dismay, dismember, dismiss, dismount, disnatured, disrank, disrelish, disrobe." Dr. Webster's example in disapproving of Walker's rule and pronouncing dis- as diz in only one (disease) of the above words, is followed by recent orthoepists. See Disable, Disgrace, and the other words, beginning with dis-, in this Dictionary. 2. A prefix from Gr. Twice. See Di-. (29 Oct 1998) |
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| schools, public health | Educational institutions for individuals specializing in the field of public health. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public health | The health of the human population as a whole. (09 Oct 1997) |
| public health administration | Management of public health organizations or agencies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public health dentistry | A dental specialty concerned with the prevention of disease and the maintenance of oral health through promoting organised dental health programs at a community, state, or federal level. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public health nurse | A nurse who provides care to individuals or groups in a community outside of institutions. Usually works through the auspices of a state or city health department. Synonym: community health nurse, community nurse. (05 Mar 2000) |
| public health nursing | The field of nursing focusing on the health of the community through educational and preventive programs, as well as providing treatment and diagnostic services. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public health practice | The activities and endeavors of the public health services in a community on any level. (12 Dec 1998) |
| environment and public health | Natural and man-made environments and their impact on public health. (12 Dec 1998) |
| united states public health service | See: USPHS. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public assistance | Financial assistance to impoverished persons for the essentials of living through federal, state or local government programs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public facilities | An area of recreation or hygiene for use by the public. (12 Dec 1998) |
| public-hearted | Public-spirited. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| public hospital | A hospital administered by officials of the city, county, state, or nation. Synonym: public hospital. (05 Mar 2000) |
| public housing | Housing subsidised by tax funds, usually intended for low income persons or families. (12 Dec 1998) |