disorientation
|dis/or/i/en/ta/tion|
🇺🇸
/dɪsˌɔriˈɛnˌteɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/dɪsˌɔːriˈɛnˌteɪʃən/
loss of direction
Etymology
'disorientation' originates from the Latin word 'orientare,' meaning 'to arrange or align.' The prefix 'dis-' indicates a reversal or negation.
'orientare' transformed into the French word 'désorienter,' and eventually became the modern English word 'disorientation' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'to lose one's bearings,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a state of mental confusion.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a state of mental confusion or loss of bearings, often resulting in an inability to recognize one's surroundings or situation.
After waking up from the surgery, she experienced a brief period of disorientation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39