disinter(dis in TER) vt. 1. to dig up from the grave; to exhume; 2. to bring to
light something that had been hidden
- The medical examiner sometimes has to disintera body from the grave in
order to perform an autopsy on it. - It is only with the passage of time that the actual tape recordings of
Lyndon Johnson’s White House conversations were disinterred.
[-red, -ring] [Syn. exhume]
disinterestedness(dis IN trist id niss) n. a lack of caring, involvement, or concern - When asked whether she would like to go to the Dodgers game, Maria
expressed a total disinterestedness. - Joel’s disinterestednessin getting his schoolwork done on time led to his
failing grades.
[Syn. indifference]
disputatious(DIS pyoo TAY shis) adj. fond of arguing; contentious; eager to
dispute - Allen’s disputatiousnature made him a likely candidate for the debating team.
- Whenever Daphne was accused of being disputatious,she would retort
“That’s debatable.”
[-ly adv.]
dissonance(DIS uh nins) n. 1. inharmonious sounds; chords containing clash-
ing sounds; 2. a lack of harmony or agreement; discord; incongruity - If you want to learn the true meaning of dissonance,go listen to an ele-
mentary school band concert. - The later works of Igor Stravinsky are famous for their deliberate use of
dissonance.
Quick Review #98.
Match the word from column 2 with the word from column 1 that means most
nearly the same thing.
272 Essential Vocabulary
- diatribe
- diffidence
- digress
- diminutive
- dirge
- disabuse
- disburse
- discontent
- disinter
- disinterestedness
- disputatious
- dissonance
a. contentious
b. denunciation
c. exhume
d. shyness
e. indifference
f. discord
g. deviate
h. correct
i. lament
j. dissatisfaction
k. small
l. expend