perturb
[ per-turb ]
/ pərˈtɜrb /
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verb (used with object)
to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate.
to throw into great disorder; derange.
Astronomy. to cause perturbation in the orbit of (a celestial body).
SYNONYMS FOR perturb
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Origin of perturb
OTHER WORDS FROM perturb
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for perturb
perturb
/ (pəˈtɜːb) /
verb (tr; often passive)
to disturb the composure of; trouble
to throw into disorder
physics astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc) to undergo a perturbation
Derived forms of perturb
perturbable, adjectiveperturbably, adverbperturbing, adjectiveperturbingly, adverbWord Origin for perturb
C14: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbāre to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbāre to agitate, from turba confusion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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