disorientate, v.
(dɪsˈɔərɪənteɪt)
[dis- 6.]
a. trans. To turn from an eastward position; pa. pple. not facing due east.
| 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn., cited in Johnson. 1730–6 Bailey (folio), Disorientated (spoken of a sun-dial), turn'd away from the east, or some of the cardinal points. 1850 Ecclesiologist XI. 79 S. John the Evangelist [Guernsey] is a district church, built in 1836. It is disorientated. 1853 Ibid. XIV. 361 It has a chancel..strangely disorientated towards the south. |
b. fig.
| 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The word is most frequently used..for the disconcerting, or putting a man out of his way, or element. Speak of law to a physician, or of physic to a lawyer, and they will both be disorientated. 1928 F. B. Young My Brother Jonathan 582 His freedom disorientated him. 1965 Nursing Times 5 Feb. 184/1 She was confused and disorientated (unaware of time, place or person). |
Hence disˈorientated ppl. a.
| 1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 16 Oct. 598/2 A somewhat disorientated person, who suddenly discovers that an affair has been taking place in the neighbourhood between a strange blonde girl and someone who has apparently assumed his own identity. 1960 Times 23 May 16/2 The talented yet disorientated adolescent. |