dis

v. t. [ shortened from disrespect. ] [ imp. & p. p. dissed p. pr. & vb. n. dissing ] to treat in a disrespectful manner; to insult, disparage or belittle. [ slang ] [ PJC ]

sn>1. A prefix from the Latin, whence F. dés, or sometimes dé-, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 orthoëpists. See Disable, Disgrace, and the other words, beginning with dis-, in this Dictionary. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A prefix from Gr. di`s- twice. See Di-. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. any orchid of the genus Disa, a genus of beautiful orchids with dark green leaves and usually hooded flowers; -- they are much prized as emblematic flowers in their native regions. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Disabilities 1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was covenanted. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency. [ 1913 Webster ]

The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture. Abbott.

Syn. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Lacking ability; unable. [ Obs. ] “Our disable and unactive force.” Daniel. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Disabled p. pr. & vb. n. Disabling ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

A Christian's life is a perpetual exercise, a wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure disables him. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

And had performed it, if my known offense
Had not disabled me. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have disabled mine estate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable. [ 1913 Webster ]

An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and disables his children to inherit. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to undervalue. [ Obs. ] “He disabled my judgment.” Shak.

Syn. -- To weaken; unfit; disqualify; incapacitate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. injured so as to be unable to function; as, disabled veterans.
Syn. -- hors de combat, out of action. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. unable to function at normal capacity.
Syn. -- handicapped, incapacitated. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. Deprivation of ability; incapacity. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]