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dishevel
[ dih-shev-uhl ]
/ dɪˈʃɛv əl /
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verb (used with object), di·shev·eled, di·shev·el·ing or (especially British) di·shev·elled, di·shev·el·ling.
to let down, as hair, or wear or let hang in loose disorder, as clothing.
to cause untidiness and disarray in: The wind disheveled the papers on the desk.
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Origin of dishevel
First recorded in 1590–1600; back formation from disheveled
OTHER WORDS FROM dishevel
di·shev·el·ment, nounWords nearby dishevel
disheartening, dished, dishelm, disherison, disherit, dishevel, disheveled, dishevelled, dishful, dish gravy, dish night
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use dishevel in a sentence
I never can get them there girls of mine to dishevel themselves in time.
Manners, Vol 1 of 3|Frances BrookeRich chaplets these were, that the winds might not dishevel their comely hair, and this is true i' faith.
The Nibelungenlied|UnknownMen tear their garments; women dishevel their hair; all take off their ornaments, and disfigure their faces with ashes or clay.
Fetichism in West Africa|Robert Hamill NassauI find it clear and very clarifying, after the innumerable hours I have spent in trying to dishevel him.
The Letters of William James, Vol. II|William James
British Dictionary definitions for dishevel
dishevel
/ (dɪˈʃɛvəl) /
verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled
to disarrange (the hair or clothes) of (someone)
Derived forms of dishevel
dishevelment, nounWord Origin for dishevel
C15: back formation from dishevelled
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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