Dishearten is spelled with the prefix "dis-" which means "to reverse" or "to negate," and the root word "hearten" which means "to encourage." The correct pronunciation of dishearten is /dɪsˈhɑrt(ə)n/ with stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word can be broken down as follows: /d/ for the "d" sound, /ɪ/ for the "i" sound, /s/ for the "s" sound, /ˈhɑrt/ for the stressed syllable "hart," and /ən/ for the "en" sound.
The word "dishearten" is a verb that refers to the action of causing someone to lose hope, enthusiasm, or confidence. When an individual is disheartened, they experience a significant decrease in their motivation and sense of optimism. This term often arises in situations where one's expectations, goals, or desires are not met, leading to a state of discouragement or demoralization.
To dishearten someone is to dampen their spirits, making them feel dispirited or disenchanted. This can occur through various means, such as receiving disappointing news, experiencing repeated setbacks, facing constant criticism, or witnessing the failure of an important endeavor. Disheartenment is closely related to the emotions of sadness, frustration, and disappointment, as it involves a profound impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being.
The consequences of being disheartened can vary from person to person, but often include a lack of motivation and a reduced ability to persevere in the face of challenges. Those who are disheartened may find it difficult to regain their previous level of enthusiasm or trust in their own abilities, thereby hindering their potential for progress or growth.
In summary, to dishearten is to deflate or undermine an individual's hope, enthusiasm, or confidence, resulting in a state of discouragement or demoralization. This verb represents the negative impact on a person's mental and emotional state, often leading to a decrease in motivation and optimism.
To discourage; to depress; to impress with dread or fear.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dishearten" originated from the combination of two elements: "dis-" and "hearten".
The prefix "dis-" in English is a negation or reversing element derived from Old French or Latin origins. It implies a negative or opposite meaning.
"Hearten" comes from the Old English word "hertian", which means "to encourage" or "to give heart or courage". Its root is derived from the word "heart".
Therefore, when the negative prefix "dis-" is added to "hearten", it creates the word "dishearten", which means to cause someone to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage.