Conturb

/kənˈtɜːrb/ verb

Definition

To disturb, trouble, or throw into disorder or confusion.

Etymology

From Latin 'conturbare' (to disturb, throw into confusion), composed of 'con-' (together) and 'turbare' (to disturb, from 'turba' meaning crowd or tumult). The word is archaic in modern English.

Kelly Says

Conturb is a ghostly verb that mostly haunts historical documents and old literature. It describes not just disturbance but the kind of social chaos that happens when a crowd gets agitated—the 'turba' (Latin for crowd) right there in the root.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.