Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “disturbing” come from?

Disturbing derives from English disturb, via Middle English destourben, Old French destorber, and Latin disturbare, from Latin turbare meaning to confuse or disorder, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dwís.

disturbing (English): Causing distress or worry; upsetting or...

Definitions

  1. Causing distress or worry; upsetting or...

Ancestry of “disturbing”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishdisturbto confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm,...
2Middle Englishdestourben—
3Old Frenchdestorberto disrupt; to disturb
4LatindisturboI disturb; I demolish, destroy
5Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
6Latincalceusshoe
7Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
8Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “disturbing”

  • disturbingly
  • undisturbing
  • nondisturbing
  • disturbingness
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →