Part 3153

<p><b>1.</b> <def>A prefix from the Latin, whence F. <i>d\'82s</i>, or sometimes <i>d\'82</i>-, <i>dis</i>-. The Latin <i>dis</i>- appears as <i>di</i>- before <i>b</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>g</i>, <i>l</i>, <i>m</i>, <i>n</i>, <i>r</i>, <i>v</i>, becomes <i>dif</i>- before <i>f</i>, and either <i>dis</i>- or <i>di</i>- before <i>j</i>. It is from the same root as <i>bis</i> twice, and <i>duo</i>, E. <i>two</i>. See <er>Two</er>, and cf. <er>Bi-</er>, <er>Di-</er>, <er>Dia-</er>. <i>Dis</i>- denotes <i>separation</i>, <i>a parting from</i>, as in <i>dis</i>tribute, <i>dis</i>connect; hence it often has the force of a privative and negative, as in <i>dis</i>arm, <i>dis</i>oblige, <i>dis</i>agree. Also intensive, as in <i>dis</i>sever.</def>

<note>&hand; Walker's rule of pronouncing this prefix is, that the <i>s</i> ought always to be pronounced like <i>z</i>, when the next syllable is accented and begins with "a flat mute [<i>b</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>v</i>, <i>g</i>, <i>z</i>], a liquid [<i>l</i>, <i>m</i>, <i>n</i>, <i>r</i>], or a vowel; as, <i>disable</i>, <i>disease</i>, <i>disorder</i>, <i>disuse</i>, <i>disband</i>, <i>disdain</i>, <i>disgrace</i>, <i>disvalue</i>, <i>disjoin</i>, <i>dislike</i>, <i>dislodge</i>, <i>dismay</i>, <i>dismember</i>, <i>dismiss</i>, <i>dismount</i>, <i>disnatured</i>, <i>disrank</i>, <i>disrelish</i>, <i>disrobe</i>." Dr. Webster's example in disapproving of Walker's rule and pronouncing <i>dis</i>- as <i>diz</i> in only one (<i>disease</i>) of the above words, is followed by recent ortho\'89pists. See <er>Disable</er>, <er>Disgrace</er>, and the other words, beginning with <i>dis</i>-, in this Dictionary.</note>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A prefix from Gr. <?/ twice. See <er>Di-</er>.</def>

<h1>Dis</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Dis</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L.]</ety> <def>The god Pluto.</def>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Disability</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Dis`a*bil"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Disabilities</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.</plu>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.</def>

<blockquote>Grossest faults, or <b>disabilities</b> to perform what was covenanted. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Chatham refused to see him, pleading his <b>disability</b>. <i>Bancroft.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency.</def>

<blockquote>The <b>disabilities</b> of idiocy, infancy, and coverture. <i>Abbott.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Weakness; inability; incompetence; impotence; incapacity; incompetency; disqualification.</syn> <usage>-- <er>Disability</er>, <er>Inability</er>. <i>Inability</i> is an inherent want of power to perform the thing in question; <i>disability</i> arises from some <i>deprivation</i> or loss of the needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a <i>disability</i> of holding his estate; and one who is made a judge, of deciding in his own case. A man may decline an office on account of his <i>inability</i> to discharge its duties; he may refuse to accept a trust or employment on account of some <i>disability</i> prevents him from entering into such engagements.</usage>

<h1>Disable</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Dis*a"ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Lacking ability; unable.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "Our <i>disable</i> and unactive force."

<i>Daniel.</i>

<h1>Disable</h1> <Xpage=417>

<hw>Dis*a"ble</hw> <tt>(?; 277)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Disabled</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Disabling</er> <tt>(?)</tt>.]</wordforms>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To render unable or incapable; to destroy the force, vigor, or power of action of; to deprive of competent physical or intellectual power; to incapacitate; to disqualify; to make incompetent or unfit for service; to impair.</def>

<blockquote>A Christian's life is a perpetual exercise, a wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure <b>disables</b> him. <i>Jer. Taylor.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>And had performed it, if my known offense Had not <b>disabled</b> me. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>I have <b>disabled</b> mine estate. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable.</def>

<blockquote>An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and <b>disables</b> his children to inherit. <i>Blackstone.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to undervalue.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "He <i>disabled</i> my judgment."

<i>Shak.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- To weaken; unfit; disqualify; incapacitate.</syn>