# disorder

Pronunciation: US say "dis-OR-dur" /dɪsˈɔɹdɚ/; UK say "dis-AW-duh" /dɪsˈɔːdə(ɹ)/

## Noun

1. A lack of order; the state of things not being arranged neatly or in any systematic way.
   - Simple: A messy state where things are not arranged neatly.
   - _The general's papers lay in disorder across the desk._
   - _Years of neglect had left the archive in such disorder that nothing could be found._
2. A physical or mental malfunction; an illness that affects the normal functioning of the body or mind.
   - Simple: An illness or problem that affects how the body or mind works.
   - _The clinic specializes in treating eating disorders._
   - _An anxiety disorder can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming._
3. A breakdown of public peace, such as rioting or unrest that breaches civic order in a community.
   - Simple: Trouble and fighting in public that breaks the peace.
   - _Troops were deployed to quell the disorder in the capital._
   - _The new law aims to prevent public disorder during large gatherings._

## Verb

4. To throw something into a state of confusion or mess, upsetting its arrangement.
   - Simple: To make something messy or mixed up.
   - _The earthquake disordered everything stored in the warehouse._
   - _A sudden panic can disorder even the best-laid plans._
5. To knock something out of its proper order or sequence.
   - Simple: To put things out of their correct order.
   - _The clumsy intern disordered the carefully numbered archive._
   - _A single misplaced entry can disorder the entire sequence._

## Origin

Borrowed from Middle French "desordre" (modern French "désordre"), which came from Old French "desordre," formed from "des-" plus "ordre"; in English it can be seen as "dis-" plus "order."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/disorder (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).