perturb
Use Perturb in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate.
2.
to throw into great disorder; derange.
3.
Astronomy. to cause perturbation in the orbit of (a celestial body).
Origin:
1325–75; Middle English perturben (< Old French perturber) < Latin perturbāre to throw into confusion, equivalent to per- per- + turbāre to disturb; see turbid
1325–75; Middle English perturben (< Old French perturber) < Latin perturbāre to throw into confusion, equivalent to per- per- + turbāre to disturb; see turbid
Related forms
per·turb·a·ble, adjective
per·turb·a·bil·i·ty, noun
tərˈbeɪ per·turb·ed·ness, noun
per·turb·ing·ly, adverb
per·turb·ment, noun
non·per·turb·a·ble, adjective
non·per·turb·ing, adjective
un·per·turb·a·ble, adjective
un·per·turbed, adjective
un·per·turb·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. trouble. 2. confuse, addle, muddle.
1. trouble. 2. confuse, addle, muddle.
Antonyms
1. pacify.
1. pacify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To perturb
00:10
Perturb
is always a great word to know.
So is summer solstice. Does it mean:
| the boundary around a black hole on and within which no matter or radiation can escape |
| marking the time when the sun is at the north most point from the celestial equator occurring around June 21 |
Collins
World English Dictionary
perturb (pəˈtɜːb) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to disturb the composure of; trouble |
| 2. | to throw into disorder |
| 3. | physics, astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc) to undergo a perturbation |
| [C14: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbāre to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbāre to agitate, from turba confusion] | |
| per'turbable | |
| —adj | |
| per'turbably | |
| —adv | |
| per'turbing | |
| —adj | |
| per'turbingly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
perturb
late 14c. (implied in perturbation), probably via O.Fr. perturber (14c.), from L. perturbare "to confuse, disorder, disturb," from per- "through" + turbare "disturb, confuse," from turba "turmoil, crowd" (see turbid).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Scientists find symmetrical ions perturb bulk water asymmetrically.
By rearranging the planets, you perturb these perturbations, and it's not obvious what would happen.
To understand how the virus is able to perturb development of the chestnut blight fungus.
Gravitational tugs, orbital collisions, and interstellar jostles occasionally perturb an asteroid or comet onto a wayward path.
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