disfigure
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
From Middle English disfiguren, from Anglo-Norman desfigurer.
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /dɪsˈfɪɡə/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - (General American) IPA(key): /dɪsˈfɪɡjɚ/
Verb
disfigure (third-person singular simple present disfigures, present participle disfiguring, simple past and past participle disfigured)
- to irreversibly damage the shape or structure of something, negatively affecting its appearance or functionality without completely destroying it.
- His face was disfigured by a terrible fire many years ago, leaving deep scars across his crooked nose.
- 1959 November, G. H. Robin, “Railways to Helensburgh—a pre-electrification retrospect”, in Trains Illustrated, page 544:
- The North British Railway was always anxious to connect its line to Helensburgh Pier but the local residents would not permit their foreshore or promenade to be disfigured, so the company had to resort further east and on May 18, 1882, opened the railway pier and station at Craigendoran.
Synonyms
- leper (rare)
Translations
to damage something's appearance or functionality
|
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
