Disturb \Dis*turb"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disturbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Disturbing.]

[OE. desturben, destourben, OF. destorber, desturber, destourber, fr. L. disturbare, disturbatum; dis- + turbare to disturb, trouble, turba disorder, tumult, crowd. See Turbid.]

1. To throw into disorder or confusion; to derange; to interrupt the settled state of; to excite from a state of rest.

Preparing to disturb With all-cofounding war the realms above. --Cowper.

The bellow's noise disturbed his quiet rest. --Spenser.

The utmost which the discontented colonies could do, was to disturb authority. --Burke.

2. To agitate the mind of; to deprive of tranquillity; to disquiet; to render uneasy; as, a person is disturbed by receiving an insult, or his mind is disturbed by envy.

3. To turn from a regular or designed course. [Obs.]

And disturb His inmost counsels from their destined aim. --Milton.

Syn: To disorder; disquiet; agitate; discompose; molest; perplex; trouble; incommode; ruffle.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)