disfigured
UK[dɪsˈfɪɡəd]US[dɪsˈfɪɡjərd]
adj
having the appearance spoiled or damaged, especially on the face or body
verb (past tense, past participle)
to spoil the appearance of something or someone
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
figure
ed
dis
apart, away
figure
form, shape
ed
adjective/verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'disfigured' is built upon the latin root 'figura,' meaning form or shape, which itself traces back to the pie root dheigh- meaning "to form, build." the prefix 'dis-' functions as a negator or reverser, literally suggesting the action of marring or destroying a form. the suffix '-ed' adapts the verb into a participial adjective, describing the state resulting from that action. thus, the etymological logic moves from the ancient concept of creating a form to the modern abstract meaning of having that form grievously spoiled.
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart, away) + figure (form, shape) + ed (adjective/verb suffix)
- dis: latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart, away, having a negative or reversing force."
- figure: latin origin (from 'figura'), meaning "form, shape, appearance."
- ed: old english origin, a suffix used to form the past tense and past participle of verbs, and adjectives from nouns/verbs.
Examples
the accident left his face permanently disfigured.
the ancient statue was disfigured by centuries of erosion and vandalism.
she refused to let the scar disfigure her sense of self-worth.