| 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) |
|---|---|
| DIS2 protein phosphatase | <enzyme> A type 1 protein phosphatase; involved in glycogen phosphorylase activation; interacts genetically with the ras-camp pathway; has been sequenced Registry number: EC 3.1.3.- Synonym: dis2 protein, dis2 gene product (26 Jun 1999) |
| disability | 1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like. "Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was covenanted." (Milton) "Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability." (Bancroft) 2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency. "The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture." (Abbott) Synonym: Weakness, inability, incompetence, impotence, incapacity, incompetency, disqualification. Disability, Inability. Inability is an inherent want of power to perform the thing in question; disability arises from some deprivation or loss of the needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a disability of holding his estate; and one who is made a judge, of deciding in his own case. A man may decline an office on account of his inability to discharge its duties; he may refuse to accept a trust or employment on account of some disability prevents him from entering into such engagements. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disability evaluation | Determination of the degree of a physical, mental, or emotional handicap. The diagnosis is applied to legal qualification for benefits and income under disability insurance and to eligibility for social security and workmen's compensation benefits. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disable | 1. To render unable or incapable; to destroy the force, vigor, or power of action of; to deprive of competent physical or intellectual power; to incapacitate; to disqualify; to make incompetent or unfit for service; to impair. "A Christian's life is a perpetual exercise, a wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure disables him." (Jer. Taylor) "And had performed it, if my known offense Had not disabled me." (Milton) "I have disabled mine estate." (Shak) 2. To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable. "An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and disables his children to inherit." (Blackstone) 3. To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to undervalue. "He disabled my judgment." Synonym: To weaken, unfit, disqualify, incapacitate. Origin: Disabled; Disabling. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disabled children | Children with mental or physical disabilities that interfere with usual activities of daily living and that may require accomodation or intervention. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disabled persons | Persons with physical or mental disabilities that affect or limit their activities of daily living and that may require special accommodations. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disaccharidase deficiency | A digestive disorder caused by the body being unable to produce enough disaccharidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the small intestine. This may cause symptoms such as intestinal gas and diarrhoea. (09 Oct 1997) |
| disaccharidases | <enzyme> Registry number: EC 3.2.1.- (12 Dec 1998) |
| disaccharide | <biochemistry> A sugar such as sucrose, which is made up of two monosaccharides: one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule. Two common disaccharides are sucrose and lactose. (09 Oct 1997) |
| disaccharides | A class of sugars composed of two glycosidically linked monosaccharides. The term is most commonly used for those composed of hexoses, such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disacidify | To free from acid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disacquaint | To render unacquainted; to make unfamiliar. "While my sick heart With dismal smart Is disacquainted never." (Herrick) Origin: Pref. Dis- + acquaint: cf. OF. Desacointier. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disacryl | <chemistry> A white amorphous substance obtained as a polymeric modification of acrolein. Origin: Pref. Dis- (Gr. Twice) + acrolein + -yl. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disaggregatase | <enzyme> From methanosarcina mazei lyc; hydrolyzes heteropolysaccharides Registry number: EC 3.2.- (26 Jun 1999) |