Disqualify Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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disqualify
[ˌdɪsˈkwɒlɪfaɪ ]
Definition
competition
To declare someone ineligible to participate in a competition or event due to breaking the rules or failing to meet the requirements.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| disqualify |
Used when a person or thing is officially declared ineligible for a competition or activity, often due to a rule violation.
|
| ban |
Applied when there is a formal or legal prohibition or restriction, often permanent or long-term.
|
| exclude |
Implies intentionally denying someone or something access to a place, group, or privilege. It can be temporary or permanent.
|
| eliminate |
Used when removing someone or something from consideration, competition, or existence. It often implies a final or irreversible removal.
|
Examples of usage
- He was disqualified from the race for starting before the signal.
- The athlete was disqualified for using performance-enhancing drugs.
- The team was disqualified from the tournament for fielding an ineligible player.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Sports
- In many sports, athletes can be disqualified for various reasons such as doping, unsportsmanlike behavior, or failing to meet eligibility requirements.
- Major events like the Olympics have strict rules, and disqualification can occur even after an athlete has completed their event.
- Historic disqualifications often lead to heated debates about fairness and ethics in sports.
Law
- In legal terms, disqualification can refer to a party being unable to participate in a lawsuit due to a conflict of interest.
- Judges and jurors can be disqualified from a case if they have personal connections to it or previous biases.
- The concept ensures that fair procedures are followed in legal contexts to uphold justice.
Education
- In academic settings, students can be disqualified from exams if they're caught cheating or break conduct rules.
- Scholarships often have qualification criteria, which means failing to meet them can disqualify applicants from receiving aid.
- Disqualification in educational competitions, like science fairs, can occur if projects do not follow guidelines.
Technology
- In software validation, a program can be disqualified from functioning properly if it doesn't meet security standards.
- Data entries can be disqualified in systems that require specific formats, preventing users from submitting incorrect information.
- In online competitions, users can be disqualified for violations of terms of service, such as entering multiple accounts.
Origin of 'disqualify'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'disqualificare,' combining 'dis-' (meaning not) and 'qualificare' (to make qualified).
- It has been in use in English since the early 19th century, mainly in legal and competitive contexts.
- The prefix 'dis-' typically indicates removal or negation, altering the meaning of the root word 'qualify'.
The word 'disqualify' originated in the early 17th century from the combination of 'dis-' meaning 'do the opposite of' and 'qualify' meaning 'to make competent or eligible'. It has been used in the context of competitions and events to denote the act of making someone ineligible due to rule violations or failure to meet standards.
See also: disqualification, qualification, qualifications, qualified, qualifier, qualifying, unqualified.