Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “disinformation” come from?

Disinformation comes from Middle English dis- combined with English enformation, which derives from Latin dis- prefixed to Latin ex, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dwóh₁ meaning two.

disinformation (English): False information intentionally disseminated to...

Definitions

  1. False information intentionally disseminated to...

Ancestry of “disinformation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishinformationThat which resolves uncertainty; anything that...
2Middle Englishenformacioun—
3Latinīnfōrmātiō—
4Latin-tiō—
5Latindissertātiō—
6Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
7Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
8Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
9Latincalceusshoe
10Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
11Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “disinformation”

  • disinformational
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →