disintegrate
UK[dɪsˈɪntɪɡreɪt]US[dɪsˈɪntɪɡreɪt]
v
to break into many small pieces or parts, or to make something do this
v
to become much less strong or united and be gradually destroyed
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
integrate
dis
apart, away
integrate
to form into a whole
Etymology
the word 'disintegrate' is a modern english formation, built upon the earlier verb 'integrate' with the addition of the latin-derived negative prefix 'dis-'. the core root 'integer' comes from latin, where it literally meant 'untouched, whole', derived from 'in-' (not) and 'tag-' (to touch), a root from proto-indo-european. the conceptual journey is from the ancient idea of being physically intact and untouched, to the modern abstract sense of forming a unified whole ('integrate'), and finally to the reversal of that process—breaking that whole apart into its constituent fragments ('disintegrate').
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart, away) + integrate (to form into a whole)
the prefix 'dis-' is from latin, meaning 'apart' or 'away', indicating reversal or separation. the base 'integrate' is from latin 'integratus', the past participle of 'integrare' meaning 'to make whole', from 'integer' meaning 'whole, complete'.
Examples
the spacecraft disintegrated as it re-entered the earth's atmosphere.
over time, the old empire began to disintegrate due to internal conflicts.
the paper had been left in the water so long that it started to disintegrate.