discomfit

American  

[dis-kuhm-fit] / dɪsˈkʌm fɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to confuse and deject; disconcert.

   to be discomfited by a question.

   Synonyms:

   disturb, embarrass, discompose

2. to frustrate the plans of; thwart; foil.

3. Archaic. to defeat utterly; rout.

   The army was discomfited in every battle.

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noun

1. Archaic. rout; defeat.

discomfit British  

/ dɪsˈkʌmfɪt /

verb

1. to make uneasy, confused, or embarrassed

2. to frustrate the plans or purpose of

3. archaic to defeat in battle

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Other Word Forms

• discomfiter
  noun
• discomfiture
  noun
• undiscomfited
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of discomfit

1175–1225; Middle English < Anglo-French descunfit, Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + confire to make, accomplish < Latin conficere; see confect

Explanation

To discomfit someone is to make them feel uncomfortable or upset. An easy way to discomfit another person is to use the age-old, childish trick of ignoring them. (Of course, we’re sure you would never do that, right? Right?) If you make someone blush, sweat, and generally want to disappear, you’ve discomfited her. Centuries ago, discomfit was used to mean “destroy completely in battle” — an experience that surely left the defeated armies feeling something more than mere discomfort. Some scholars have suggested that the contemporary meaning of discomfit arose due to confusion with the word discomfort. Don’t be discomfited by choosing the wrong word; use this word to mean “embarrass.”

Example Sentences

Discomfit, dis-kum′fit, v.t. to disconcert, to balk: to defeat or rout;—pr.p. discom′fiting; pa.p. discom′fited.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Related Words

• demoralize
• disconcert
• perplex
• vex