disgust
UK[dɪsˈɡʌst]US[dɪsˈɡʌst]
n
a very strong feeling of dislike or disapproval for something or someone because it is unpleasant or offensive.
v
to cause someone to feel disgust.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
gust
dis
negative/opposite
gust
taste
Etymology
the word "disgust" entered english in the late 16th century from the middle french desgouster, meaning "to lose one's appetite, cause distaste." this french term was built from the latin prefix dis- (expressing reversal) and the latin noun gustus (taste). the original, literal sense was "to offend the taste, to cause distaste for food." from this concrete, physiological reaction to a bad taste, the meaning broadened metaphorically to describe a profound feeling of revulsion or intense dislike towards anything considered morally or aesthetically offensive. this evolution from a physical sensation to an abstract emotional and moral sentiment is a common pathway in semantic development.
Analysis
Structure: dis (negative/opposite) + gust (taste)
dis- is a Latin prefix meaning "apart, asunder, having a negative or reversing force." gust is from the Latin root gustus, meaning "taste."
Examples
she looked at the moldy food with utter disgust.
the corruption scandal filled the public with disgust.
the thought of eating insects disgusts many people.