Word of the Day - 01/10/26
disaffected
/,dɪsə'fɛktɪd/(adj.): discontented as toward authority
The disaffected youth, feeling ignored by the government, often expressed their discontent through online forums and street protests.
Word Origin
The word 'disaffected' has its origins in Latin, via Old French. It is formed from the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'apart, away, or not'), the verb 'affect' (from Latin 'afficere', meaning 'to do something to, act on, influence'), and the past participle suffix '-ed'. The Latin 'afficere' itself breaks down into 'ad-' (meaning 'to' or 'at') and 'facere' (meaning 'to do' or 'to make'). Therefore, 'disaffected' refers to someone whose loyalty or affection has been turned away or estranged.
Words sharing a similar origin through the Latin 'afficere' include 'affect' (to influence a feeling) and 'affection' (a feeling of fondness).