de-energizes
|de-en-er-giz-es|
🇺🇸
/ˌdiːˈɛnərdʒaɪzɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˌdiːˈɛnə(r)dʒaɪzɪz/
(de-energize)
take away energy
Etymology
'de-energize' is formed from the prefix 'de-' (from Latin 'de' meaning 'away, off') attached to 'energize', which itself derives from 'energy' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize'.
'energy' comes from Greek 'energeia' (ἐνέργεια) meaning 'activity, operation'; 'energize' was formed in English by adding '-ize' to 'energy' in the 19th century, and 'de-' was later prefixed to create 'de-energize' meaning 'remove energy' or 'cut power'.
Originally constructed to mean 'remove energy or electrical power' (literal technical sense), it has also come to be used figuratively to mean 'reduce enthusiasm or vitality'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present form of 'de-energize.'
She de-energizes the panel before beginning maintenance.
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Verb 2
removes electrical power from something; cuts off an electrical supply (literal, technical).
The technician de-energizes the circuit before making any repairs.
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Last updated: 2025/12/25 13:15