different between discomfit vs disgrace

English

Etymology

From Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire (“to undo, to destroy”), from des- (“completely”), from Latin dis- + confire (“to make”), from Latin conficio (“to finish up, to destroy”), from com- (“with, together”) + facio (“to do, to make”).

Later sense of “to embarrass, to disconcert” due to confusion with unrelated discomfort.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d?s?k?mf?t/

Verb

discomfit (third-person singular simple present discomfits, present participle discomfiting or discomfitting, simple past and past participle discomfited or discomfitted) (transitive)

1. (archaic) To defeat completely; to rout.

   Synonyms: overthrow, vanquish
2. (rare) To defeat the plans or hopes of; to frustrate; disconcert.

   Synonyms: foil, thwart

   • 1886, Andrew Lang, chapter 10, in The Mark Of Cain:

     In these disguises, Maitland argued, he would certainly avoid recognition, and so discomfit any mischief planned by the enemies of Margaret.

3. To embarrass greatly; to confuse; to perplex; to disconcert.

   Synonyms: abash, disconcert; see also Thesaurus:abash

Usage notes

While the word is widely used to mean “to embarrass, to disconcert”, prescriptive usage considers this a mistake (confusion with discomfort), and restricts discomfit to meaning “to defeat”. However, Merriam–Webster notes that “[...] the sense "to discomfort or disconcert" has become thoroughly established and is the most prevalent meaning of the word.”

Translations

See also

• discomfort

Adjective

discomfit (comparative more discomfit, superlative most discomfit)

1. (obsolete) Discomfited; overthrown.

Further reading

• “discomfit”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.

References

English

Etymology

From Middle French disgracier.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d?s???e?s/, /d?z???e?s/
• (US) IPA^(key): /d?s???e?s/
• Rhymes: -e?s

Noun

disgrace (countable and uncountable, plural disgraces)

1. The condition of being out of favor; loss of favor, regard, or respect.
2. The state of being dishonored, or covered with shame.

   Synonyms: dishonor, ignominy

3. (countable) Something which brings dishonor; the cause of reproach or shame; great discredit.
4. (obsolete) An act of unkindness; a disfavor.

Synonyms

• misgrace (far less common)

Related terms

• disgraceful
• disgraceless

Translations

Verb

disgrace (third-person singular simple present disgraces, present participle disgracing, simple past and past participle disgraced)

1. (transitive) To put someone out of favor; to bring shame or ignominy upon.

Translations

Further reading

• disgrace in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• disgrace in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.