3 results for: Discomfited

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·com·fit Audio Help (dĭs-kŭm'fĭt) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. dis·com·fit·ed, dis·com·fit·ing, dis·com·fits

To make uneasy or perplexed; disconcert. See Synonyms at embarrass.
To thwart the plans of; frustrate.
Archaic To defeat in battle; vanquish.

n. Discomfiture.

[Middle English discomfiten, from Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire, descumfire, to defeat : des-, dis- + confire, to make (from Latin cōnficere, to prepare; see comfit).]

Usage Note: It is true that discomfit originally meant "to defeat, frustrate" and that its newer use meaning "to embarrass, disconcert" probably arose in part through confusion with discomfort. But the newer sense is now the most common use of the verb in all varieties of writing and should be considered entirely standard.

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Discomfited

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

discomfited
adjective
1.	disappointingly unsuccessful; "disappointed expectations and thwarted ambitions"; "their foiled attempt to capture Calais"; "many frustrated poets end as pipe-smoking teachers"; "his best efforts were thwarted" [syn: defeated]
noun
1.	people who are defeated; "the Romans had no pity for the defeated" [syn: defeated]

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