discompose, v.
(dɪskəmˈpəʊz)
[f. dis- 6 + compose v. The Caxton instance, in sense 1, stands alone in time, and prob. represents an OF. *descomposer = F. décomposer.]
1. trans. To destroy or disturb the composure or calmness of; to ruffle, agitate, disquiet: a. (persons, or their minds, feelings, etc.).
| 1483 Caxton Cato I iij b, Thou oughtest not to wepe ne to discompose the when thow losest the rychesses and temporalle goodes of thys world. 1645 Bp. Hall Remed. Discontents 6 Prosperity may discompose us, as vvel as an adverse condition. 1665 Glanvill Scepsis Sci. 168 Every opposition of our espous'd opinions..discomposeth the minds serenity. 1732 Pope Ess. Man i. 168 Better for Us, perhaps, it might appear, That never passion discompos'd the mind. 1765 Walpole Cas. Otranto iv. (1798) 65 Discompose not yourself for the glosing of a peasant's son. 1876 T. Hardy Ethelberta xlvii, Sol's bitter chiding had been the first thing to discompose her fortitude. |
b. (things, as the sea, the air).
| 1646 J. Hall Poems 65 That breath of thine can onely raise New stormes and discompose the Seas. 1661 Cowley Disc. Govt. O. Cromwell Wks. 1710 II. 626 No Wind..the Air to discompose. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §300 Not a breath of wind discomposed the surface of the water. |
2. To disturb the order or arrangement of; to throw into confusion; to disarrange, disorder, unsettle. Now rare or Obs.
| 1611 Florio, Discomporre, to vnframe, to discompose. 1649 Cromwell Let. 19 July, Sir, discompose not your thoughts or estate for what you are to pay me. 1667 Milton P.L. v. 10 So much the more His [Adam's] wonder was to find, unwak'ned Eve With Tresses discompos'd, and glowing Cheek As through unquiet rest. 1747 Gould Eng. Ants 104 This Species [of red ants] is..the most daring and venemous, as Experience will teach any that presume to discompose their Settlements. 1816 Keatinge Trav. (1817) II. 2 Our whole body was discomposed and dispersed in an instant. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 357 These minutiæ alter and discompose the characters of the citizens. |
† b. To upset or disorder the health of; pa. pple. indisposed, out of health. Obs.
| 1694 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) III. 404 The lord keeper on Sunday last fell backwards in his chamber and came with his head to the ground, which much discomposes him. 1708 Hearne Collect. 16 Oct., Is much discomposed with a cold. 1712 W. Rogers Voy. (1718) 213 Being discomposed I was not with them. |
† 3. To displace, discard. Obs.
| 1622 Bacon Hen. VII, 242 (R.) Hee neeuer put downe, or discomposed counsellor, or neare seruant, saue onely Stanley, the Lord Chamberlaine. 1640 Fuller Joseph's Coat iii. (1867) 133 It is recorded in the honour of our King Henry the Seventh, that he never discomposed favourite. |