discompose

American  

[dis-kuhm-pohz] / ˌdɪs kəmˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

discomposed, discomposing

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; disorder; unsettle.

   The breeze discomposed the bouquet.

2. to disturb the composure of; agitate; perturb.

   The bad news discomposed us.

   Synonyms:

   disconcert, discomfit

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discompose British  

/ ˌdɪskəmˈpəʊz /

verb

1. to disturb the composure of; disconcert

2. rare to disarrange

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Other Word Forms

• discomposedly adverb
• discomposingly adverb
• discomposure noun
• undiscomposed adjective

Etymology

Origin of discompose

First recorded in 1475–85; dis- ¹ + compose

Example Sentences

This did not seem to discompose him; on the contrary, he looked rather amused.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Small changes in the household arrangements were likely to discompose him.

From The Preliminaries And Other Stories by Comer, Cornelia A. P.

It may be he is right: it is not for me to gainsay him, or to further discompose his temper, when all the evidence is so plainly visible.

From Seeds of Pine by Canuck, Janey

What have ye seen to discompose ye thus?

From Joan of Arc A Play in Five Acts by Sargant, Jane Alice

Oh, come—we must be calm; it will never do to discompose ourselves.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 355, May 1845 by Various