perturb

[ per-turb ]
/ pərˈtɜrb /

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).

Origin of perturb

1325–75; Middle English perturben (< Old French perturber) < Latin perturbāre to throw into confusion, equivalent to per- per- + turbāre to disturb; see turbid

OTHER WORDS FROM perturb

Example sentences from the Web for perturbed

British Dictionary definitions for perturbed

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, adjective perturbably, adverb perturbing, adjective perturbingly, adverb

Word Origin for perturb

C14: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbāre to confuse, from per- (intensive) + turbāre to agitate, from turba confusion