disjunct
|dis-junct|
/dɪsˈdʒʌŋkt/
separated; apart
Etymology
'disjunct' originates from Latin, specifically the past participle 'disjunctus' of 'disjungere', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'jungere' (from 'iungere') meant 'to join'.
'disjunctus' in Late Latin passed into Medieval/Modern English via Middle English (as 'disjunct'/'disjunct'), keeping the sense of separation; the English form stabilized as 'disjunct'.
Initially it meant 'joined apart' or 'separated (having been unjoined)', and over time it retained the core sense of 'separated' while developing specialized uses in grammar (sentence adverb) and logic (member of a disjunction).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in grammar, an adverbial element (often a sentence adverb) that comments on or qualifies the whole sentence, expressing the speaker's attitude, viewpoint, or stance (e.g., 'frankly', 'fortunately').
In the sentence 'Frankly, I don't care,' 'frankly' functions as a disjunct.
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Noun 2
in logic, one of the propositions joined by a disjunction (an 'or' statement).
In the expression 'A or B', A and B are disjuncts.
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Adjective 1
separated or not joined; distinct and disconnected.
The two projects are disjunct and cannot be executed simultaneously.
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Last updated: 2025/10/22 00:32