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disturbance - 5 dictionary results

dis⋅turb⋅ance

  [di-stur-buhns]
Use disturbance in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of disturbing.
2. the state of being disturbed.
3. an instance of this; commotion.
4. something that disturbs.
5. an outbreak of disorder; a breach of public peace: Political disturbances shook the city.
6. Meteorology. any cyclonic storm or low-pressure area, usually a small one.
7. Geology. a crustal movement of moderate intensity, somewhat restricted in area.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME disto(u)rbance < AF, OF. See disturb, -ance

Synonyms:
2. perturbation, confusion. See agitation. 5. confusion, tumult, riot. See disorder.

Antonyms:
3. order.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To disturbance
dis·tur·bance   (dĭ-stûr'bəns)   
n.  
    1. The act of disturbing.
    2. The condition of being disturbed: "The forest . . . is in various stages of disturbance. Only the biggest trees . . . have been left standing" (Alex Shoumatoff).
  2. Something that disturbs, as a commotion, scuffle, or public tumult.
  3. Mental or emotional unbalance or disorder.
  4. A variation in normal wind conditions.
  5. Geology Folding or faulting that affects a relatively large area.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Disturbance

Dis*turb"ance\, n. [OF. destorbance.]

1. An interruption of a state of peace or quiet; derangement of the regular course of things; disquiet; disorder; as, a disturbance of religious exercises; a disturbance of the galvanic current.

2. Confusion of the mind; agitation of the feelings; perplexity; uneasiness.

Any man . . . in a state of disturbance and irritation. --Burke.

3. Violent agitation in the body politic; public commotion; tumult.

The disturbance was made to support a general accusation against the province. --Bancroft.

4. (Law) The hindering or disquieting of a person in the lawful and peaceable enjoyment of his right; the interruption of a right; as, the disturbance of a franchise, of common, of ways, and the like. --Blackstone.

Syn: Tumult; brawl; commotion; turmoil; uproar; hubbub; disorder; derangement; confusion; agitation; perturbation; annoyance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : disturbance
Spanish: alboroto, molestia, ruido,
German: die Störung,
Japanese: 騒ぎ
More Translations »

Main Entry: dis·tur·bance
Function: noun
: an interruption of peace or order; specifically : an interruption of the quiet enjoyment of one's property
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: dis·tur·bance
Pronunciation: dis-'t&r-b&n(t)s
Function: noun
: the state of being emotionally disturbed
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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