English
disturb
Disturb comes from Proto-Indo-European *(s)twerH- ‘to stir up, agitate’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*(s)twerH-‘to stir up, agitate’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEdisturbare
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400distourber
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500destourben
- Englishearliest quotation 1667disturb
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*(s)twerH-‘to stir up, agitate’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEdisturbare
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400distourber
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500destourben
- Englishearliest quotation 1667disturb
Earliest quotation: 1667, John Milton, Book I: “disturb his inmost counsels from their destined aim”.
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *(s)twerH- ‘to stir up, agitate’
Today it means
verb to confuse a quiet, constant state or a calm, continuous flow, in particular: thoughts, actions or liquids.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *(s)twerH- / disturb