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Definition of perturb - 2 dictionary results

per⋅turb

  [per-turb]
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; ME perturben (< OF perturber) < L perturbāre to throw into confusion, equiv. to per- per- + turbāre to disturb; see turbid

Related forms:
per⋅turb⋅a⋅ble, adjective
per⋅turb⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
per⋅tur⋅ba⋅tious  [pur-ter-bey-shuhs] , adjective
per⋅turb⋅ed⋅ly  [per-tur-bid-lee] , adverb
per⋅turb⋅ed⋅ness, noun
per⋅turb⋅er, per⋅tur⋅ba⋅tor  [pur-ter-bey-ter] , noun
per⋅turb⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
per⋅turb⋅ment, noun

Synonyms:
1. trouble. 2. confuse, addle, muddle.

Antonyms:
1. pacify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To perturb
per·turb   (pər-tûrb')   
tr.v.   per·turbed, per·turb·ing, per·turbs

  1. To disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious.

  2. To throw into great confusion.

  3. Physics & Astronomy To cause perturbation, as of a celestial orbit.


[Middle English perturben, from Old French perturber, from Latin perturbāre : per-, per- + turbāre, to throw into disorder (from turba, confusion, perhaps from Greek turbē).]
per·turb'a·ble adj.
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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