disturb Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb move deeply
    upset; trouble.
    • This book upset me
    • A troubling thought
  2. verb change the arrangement or position of
    raise up; commove; stir up; vex; shake up; agitate.
  3. verb tamper with
    touch.
    • Don't touch my CDs!
  4. verb destroy the peace or tranquility of
    interrupt.
    • Don't interrupt me when I'm reading
  5. verb damage as if by shaking or jarring
    • Don't disturb the patient's wounds by moving him too rapidly!

WordNet

Dis*turb" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. desturben, destourben, OF. destorber, desturber, destourber, fr. L. disturbare, disturbatum; dis- + turbare to disturb, trouble, turba disorder, tumult, crowd. See Turbid.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Disturbed ; present participle & verbal noun Disturbing
Definitions
  1. To throw into disorder or confusion; to derange; to interrupt the settled state of; to excite from a state of rest.
    Preparing to disturb With all-cofounding war the realms above. Cowper.
    The bellow's noise disturbed his quiet rest. Spenser.
    The utmost which the discontented colonies could do, was to disturb authority. Burke.
  2. To agitate the mind of; to deprive of tranquillity; to disquiet; to render uneasy; as, a person is disturbed by receiving an insult, or his mind is disturbed by envy.
  3. To turn from a regular or designed course. Obs.
    And disturb His inmost counsels from their destined aim. Milton.
    Syn. -- To disorder; disquiet; agitate; discompose; molest; perplex; trouble; incommode; ruffle.
Dis*turb" noun
Definitions
  1. Disturbance. Obs. Milton.

Webster 1913