disfigure
UK[dɪsˈfɪɡə]US[dɪsˈfɪɡjər]
v
To spoil the appearance of something or someone, especially by marking or damaging the surface.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
figure
dis
negative/reverse
figure
form/shape
Etymology
The word "disfigure" is a direct borrowing from the Anglo-French disfigurer, which itself was built from Latin components. The prefix dis- carries a negative or reversing action, while the root derives from Latin figura, meaning "shape" or "form." The literal, compositional meaning is "to undo the shape or form" of something. Over time, this concrete sense of deforming a physical shape evolved into the modern, more general abstract meaning of spoiling or damaging the appearance, whether of a face, a landscape, or an object.
Analysis
Structure: dis (negative/reverse) + figure (form/shape)
- dis: A Latin prefix meaning "apart," "asunder," "away," or having a negative or reversing force.
- figure: From Latin figura meaning "shape, form, figure." In this word, it functions as the base meaning "form" or "appearance."
Examples
The acid attack tragically disfigured her face.
Developers should not disfigure the countryside with poorly planned construction.
Graffiti has disfigured the ancient monument.