| disaggregation | 1. A breaking up into component parts. 2. An inability to coordinate various sensations and failure to comprehend their mutual relations. Origin: L. Dis-, separating, + ag-grego (adg-), pp. -gregatus, to add to something (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| disagree | 1. To fail to accord; not to agree; to lack harmony; to differ; to be unlike; to be at variance. "They reject the plainest sense of Scripture, because it seems o disagree with what they call reason." (Atterbury) 2. To differ in opinion; to hold discordant views; to be at controversy; to quarrel. "Who shall decide, when doctors disagree?" (Pope) 3. To be unsuited; to have unfitness; as, medicine sometimes disagrees with the patient; food often disagrees with the stomach or the taste. Usually followed by with, sometimes by to, rarely by from; as, I disagree to your proposal. Synonym: To differ, vary, dissent. Origin: Pref. Dis- + agree: cf. F. Desagreer to displease. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disagreement | 1. The state of disagreeing; a being at variance; dissimilitude; diversity. 2. Unsuitableness; unadaptedness. 3. Difference of opinion or sentiment. 4. A falling out, or controversy; difference. Synonym: Difference, diversity, dissimilitude, unlikeness, discrepancy, variance, dissent, misunderstanding, dissension, division, dispute, jar, wrangle, discord. Origin: Cf. F. Desagrement disagreeable circumstance, disagreeableness. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disanimate | 1. To deprive of life. 2. To deprive of spirit; to dishearten. Origin: Disanimated; Disanimating. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disappearing bone disease | Extensive decalcification of a single bone; of unknown cause, sometimes associated with angioma. Synonym: Gorham's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| disappointment | 1. The act of disappointing, or the state of being disappointed; defeat or failure of expectation or hope; miscarriage of design or plan; frustration. "If we hope for things of which we have not thoroughly considered the value, our disappointment will be greater our pleasure in the fruition of them." (Addison) "In disappointment thou canst bless." (Keble) 2. That which disappoints. Synonym: Miscarriage, frustration, balk. Origin: Cf. F. Desappointement. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disarticulation | Amputation or separation at a joint. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disassimilate | <physiology> To subject to disassimilation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disassimilation | <physics> The decomposition of complex substances, within the organism, into simpler ones suitable only for excretion, with evolution of energy, a normal nutritional process the reverse of assimilation; downward metabolism. "The breaking down of already existing chemical compounds into simpler ones, sometimes called disassimilation." (Martin) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disassimilative | <physiology> Having power to disassimilate; of the nature of disassimilation. "Disassimilative processes constitute a marked feature in the life of animal cells." (McKendrick) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disassociation | 1. The act of separating or state of being separated. 2. <chemistry> The separation of a molecule into two or more fragments (atoms, molecules, ions or free radicals) produced by the absorption of light or thermal energy or by solvation. 3. <psychology> A defense mechanism in which a group of mental processes are segregated from the rest of a person's mental activity in order to avoid emotional distress, as in the dissociative disorders or in which an idea or object is segregated from its emotional significance, in the first sense it is roughly equivalent to splitting, in the second, to isolation. 4. A defect of mental integration in which one or more groups of mental processes become separated off from normal consciousness and, thus separated, function as a unitary whole. Origin: L. Sociatio = union (18 Nov 1997) |
| disaster | 1. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent. "Disasters in the sun." (Shak) 2. An adverse or unfortunate event, especially. A sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap. "But noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise from disaster and defeat The stronger." (Longfellow) Synonym: Calamity, misfortune, mishap, mischance, visitation, misadventure, ill luck. See Calamity. Origin: F. Desastre; pref. Des- (L. Dis-) + astre star, fr. L. Astrum; a word of astrological origin. See Aster, Astral, Star. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| disaster planning | Procedures outlined for the care of casualties and the maintenance of services in disasters. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disaster supplies kit | You and your family can cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement. For useful information, see the MedicineNet site on YOUR FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT. (12 Dec 1998) |
| disavow | 1. To refuse strongly and solemnly to own or acknowledge; to deny responsibility for, approbation of, an the like; to disclaim; to disown; as, he was charged with embezzlement, but he disavows the crime. "A solemn promise made and disavowed." (Dryden) 2. To deny; to show the contrary of; to disprove. "Yet can they never Toss into air the freedom of my birth, Or disavow my blood Plantagenet's." (Ford) Origin: F. Desavouer; pref. Des- (L. Dis-) + avouer to avow. See Avow, and cf. Disavouch. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |