discus
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dis·cus /'dɪskəs/ n a heavy plate-shaped object, now usually made of wood or plastic, which is thrown as far as possible as a sport
di·scuss /dɪ'skʌs/ v [T(with)] to consider (something) by talking or writing about it from several points of view: She discussed her plans with her mother. | The chairman refused to discuss the rumours that the company was in difficulties. | The second chapter discusses different approaches to the treatment of cancer. | [+wh-] We discussed what to do and where we should go.
dis·cus·sion /dɪ'skʌʃən/ n [C;U] a case of or the action of discussing: to have/hold a discussion about our future plans | to settle the matter with as little discussion as possible | The question of school books will come up for discussion at today's meeting. | We haven't made a decision about the new factory yet — the subject is still under discussion. (=being discussed)
dis·dain¹ /dɪs'deɪn/ n [U] fml complete lack of respect; the feeling that someone or something is worthless or not important enough to deserve one's attention → compare CONTEMPT
disdain² v [T not in progressive forms] fml 1 to regard with disdain: They disdained our offers of help. 2 [+to-v] to refuse to do something because of pride: She disdained to answer his rude remarks.
dis·dain·ful /dɪs'deɪnfəl/ adj [(of, towards)] showing disdain: a disdainful smile —ly adv
dis·ease /dɪ'ziːz/ n [C;U] (an) illness or unhealthy condition caused by infection, a disorder etc, but not by an accident: a serious disease of the liver | an infectious disease | a blood/ brain disease | a rare plant disease | to contract (=begin to have) a disease | Many diseases are/Some disease is caused by bacteria. | (fig.) diseases of the mind/of society—diseased adj: a diseased bone/plant | (fig.) a diseased imagination → see also HEART DISEASE, SOCIAL DISEASE
Although illness and disease are often used in the same way, illness is really a state, or length of time, of being unwell, which may be caused by a disease. Diseases can be caught and passed on if they are infectious, and they are the subjects of medical study: Several children are away from school because of illness. | a rare heart disease
dis·em·bark /ˌdɪsɪm'bɑːk||-ɑːrk/ also debark v [I;T(from)] a) (of people) to go on shore from a ship b) to put (people or goods) on shore → opposite EMBARK; see BOAT (USAGE) —ation /ˌdɪsembɑː'keɪʃən||-ɑːr-/ n [U]
dis·em·bod·ied /ˌdɪsɪm'bdɪd||-'bɑː-/ adj [A no comp.] 1 (of a soul) existing without a body: the disembodied spirits of the dead 2 (of a sound) coming from someone who cannot be seen: Disembodied voices could be heard in the darkness.
dis·em·bow·el /ˌdɪsɪm'baʊəl/ v -ll- BrE || -l- AmE [T] to take out the bowels of —ment n [U]
dis·en·chant·ed /ˌdɪsɪn'tɑːntɪd||-'tʃænt-/ adj [(with)] (of a person) having lost one's belief in the value of something: disenchanted with my job —chantment n [U]
dis·en·fran·chise /ˌdɪsɪn'fræntʃaɪz/ v [T] to take away the right to vote from (a person) → opposite ENFRANCHISE —ment /-tʃɪzmənt||-tʃaɪz-/ n [U]
dis·en·gage /ˌdɪsɪn'ɡeɪdʒ/ v [I;T(from)] 1 a) (especially of parts of a machine) to come loose and separate b) to loosen and separate: Disengage the gears when you park the car. 2 (of soldiers, ships etc) to stop fighting: The two sides disengaged (themselves) after suffering heavy losses. —ment n [U(from)]
dis·en·tan·gle /ˌdɪsɪn'tæŋɡəl/ v [T] 1 to remove knots from (rope, hair etc) and straighten it out 2 [(from)] to free from a position that is difficult to escape from; EXTRICATE: I finally managed to disentangle myself from the barbed wire/ from an unhappy relationship. 3 [(from)] to separate from a confused condition, especially to find out by doing this: How can I disentangle the truth from all these lies? —ment n [U]
dis·e·qui·lib·ri·um /ˌdɪsɪkwɪ'lɪbriəm, ˌdɪsi-/ n [U] fml the loss or lack of EQUILIBRIUM (=balance)
dis·es·tab·lish /ˌdɪs'stæblɪ/ v [T] to take away the official position from (a national church such as the Church of England) —ment n [U]
dis·fa·vour BrE || -vor AmE /dɪs'feɪvər/ n [U] fml 1 dislike and disapproval: The proposal is regarded with extreme disfavour by most doctors. 2 [(with)] the state of being disliked or disapproved of: John seems to be in disfavour/have fallen into disfavour with the boss. → see also FAVOUR
dis·fig·ure /dɪs'fɪɡər||-'fɪɡjər/ v [T] to spoil the beauty of: a street disfigured by ugly buildings | He was disfigured for life by the burns he received in the accident. —ment n [C;U]
dis·fran·chise /dɪs'fræntʃaɪz/ v [T] to DISENFRANCHISE —ment /-tʃɪz||-tʃaɪz-/ n [U]
dis·gorge /dɪs'ɡɔːdʒ||-ɔːr-/ v 1 [T] to bring up from the stomach through the mouth: The dog disgorged the bone it had swallowed. | (fig.) chimneys disgorging smoke 2 [I+adv/ prep;T] (of a river) to flow out; pour out (its water): The Mississippi disgorges (its waters) into the Gulf of Mexico.
dis·grace¹ /dɪs'ɡreɪs/ n [S;U(to)] (a cause of) shame or loss of honour and respect: His actions brought disgrace on the whole family. | Harry's in disgrace (=regarded with disapproval) because of the way he behaved at the party. | Doctors like