discomfit
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire (“to undo, to destroy”), from des- (“completely”), from Latin dis- + confire (“to make”), from Latin conficio (“to finish up, to destroy”), from com- (“with, together”) + facio (“to do, to make”).
[edit] Verb
discomfit (third-person singular simple present discomfits, present participle discomfiting, simple past and past participle discomfited)
- (archaic) To defeat completely; to rout.
- 1611, Bible: King James Version, Exodus 17:13,
- And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
- 1611, Bible: King James Version, Exodus 17:13,
- To defeat the plans or hopes of; to frustrate.
- 1886, Andrew Lang The Mark Of Cain, chapter 10,
- In these disguises, Maitland argued, he would certainly avoid recognition, and so discomfit any mischief planned by the enemies of Margaret.
- 1886, Andrew Lang The Mark Of Cain, chapter 10,
- To embarrass greatly; to confuse.
- 1853, Charlotte Brontë, Villette, chapter 20,
- She is a pretty, silly girl: but are you apprehensive that her titter will discomfit the old lady?
- 1853, Charlotte Brontë, Villette, chapter 20,
[edit] Synonyms
- (defeat; rout): overthrow, vanquish
- (frustrate): foil, thwart
- (embarrass; confuse): abash, disconcert
- See also Wikisaurus:abash