Derange Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคช
Add to dictionary

derange

[dษชหˆreษชndส’ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

mental health

To disturb the regular operation or function of someone's mind; to make someone insane or mentally unbalanced.

Synonyms

disturb, unbalance, unsettle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
derange

Use in situations where someone's mental stability is severely affected, implying a high level of mental disturbance.

  • The shocking news was enough to derange anyone
  • His experiences in the war deranged him
disturb

Suitable for situations where someone or something is causing mild to moderate interference or anxiety.

  • Please don't disturb me while I'm working
  • That movie really disturbed me
unbalance

Typically used when referring to causing a loss of stability, either mentally or physically.

  • The sudden wind gust tried to unbalance the tightrope walker
  • The unexpected news seemed to unbalance her
unsettle

Best used in situations where something causes a person to feel anxious or uneasy, but not to an extreme extent.

  • Her strange behavior began to unsettle her coworkers
  • The eerie silence of the room unsettled him

Examples of usage

  • He was deranged by the continuous stress at work.
  • The traumatic experience completely deranged her mind.
  • The medication had unexpected side effects and deranged his mental state.
Context #2 | Verb

physical health

To disrupt the normal operation or function of a system or organ in the body.

Synonyms

disrupt, disturb, upset.

Examples of usage

  • The virus deranged his digestive system.
  • The toxins in the food deranged her metabolism.
  • The medication had the potential to derange his hormonal balance.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychology, โ€˜derangementโ€™ can refer to a state of mental disturbance or malfunction.
  • Historically, 'derangement' was often used in psychiatry to describe certain types of mental illness.
  • The concept of mental derangement relates to how thoughts and behaviors may become chaotic or dysfunctional.

Literature

  • In literature, characters exhibiting derangement are often symbolic of chaos or societal breakdown.
  • Famous works like Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' explore themes of madness and derangement, revealing deeper truths about human nature.
  • The notion of derangement is used to highlight the contrast between sanity and insanity in storytelling.

Pop Culture

  • The word 'derange' has appeared in various pop culture contexts, often relating to characters with unpredictable behavior.
  • Songs and movies sometimes use the term to describe people who are out of touch with reality, adding dramatic effect.
  • Comic book villains are often depicted as deranged, showcasing their unpredictability as a trait.

Science

  • In scientific terms, certain conditions can 'derange' normal physiological processes, leading to disease.
  • Studies suggest that extreme stress can derange brain functions, affecting behavior and decision-making.
  • The concept of derangement can also apply in cognitive sciences, where mental processes may become disrupted or misaligned.

Origin of 'derange'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the French word 'dรฉranger', meaning 'to disarrange' or 'to disturb'.
  • It is formed from 'de-' (meaning 'down, away, or reverse') and 'range' (meaning 'to arrange or order').
  • The term has been used in English since the late 17th century to describe mental disturbances.

The word 'derange' originated from the French word 'dรฉranger', which means 'to upset' or 'to disturb'. It entered the English language in the early 18th century. Over time, 'derange' has come to be used in both mental health and physical health contexts, indicating a disruption or disturbance in normal functioning.


See also: ranger.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,575 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.