disarm
UK[dɪsˈɑːm]US[dɪsˈɑːrm]
v
To take weapons away from someone
v
To make a bomb or other device harmless so it cannot explode
v
To remove the cause of tension, suspicion, or hostility, making someone less angry or critical
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
arm
dis
apart, away
arm
weapon
Etymology
The verb 'disarm' is a direct borrowing from the Old French 'desarmer', which itself was formed from the Latin elements 'dis-' (expressing reversal) and 'arma' (weapons). The core Latin root 'arma' is of uncertain deeper origin but is distinct from the 'arm' meaning "limb." The word's literal logic is transparent: to remove or take away weapons. Over time, this meaning broadened metaphorically to include deactivating explosive devices and, more abstractly, the act of removing hostility or opposition by making a situation or person less threatening.
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart, away) + arm (weapon)
The prefix 'dis-' is from Latin, meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force." The root 'arm' is from Latin 'arma', meaning "weapons, implements of war," and functions as the core noun base.
Examples
The security forces moved in to disarm the rebels.
Experts were called to safely disarm the unexploded ordinance.
Her honest apology helped to disarm his initial anger.