The word "disproportionate" is spelled with seven syllables and is pronounced as /dɪs-ˌprəʊ.pərˈʃən.ət/. The first syllable "dis-" indicates the opposite or absence of what follows. The second syllable is pronounced as "proh" and rhymes with "go". The third syllable is "por", followed by the syllable "shun" with the "sh" sound. The final syllable is "it", with the emphasis on the second-last syllable. This complex spelling can make the pronunciation of "disproportionate" challenging for non-native speakers.
The term "disproportionate" is an adjective that describes something that is not in proper or equal proportion. It refers to a situation or condition where elements or parts are unevenly distributed, imbalanced, or not commensurate with each other.
When used in a social or economic context, "disproportionate" indicates a lack of fairness or inequality. It suggests that a specific distribution of resources, opportunities, or rewards is not in line with what is considered reasonable, just, or appropriate within a given framework. This term can be associated with disparities, injustices, or unfairness, as it usually highlights a notable difference or discrepancy between two or more components.
In a broader sense, "disproportionate" can also refer to phenomena, actions, or reactions that exceed what is deemed to be proportionate or suitable. It represents a situation in which something stands out as being excessive, immoderate, or out of line with the expected norm. This can relate to a variety of areas, such as a disproportionate response to a particular stimulus, an unbalanced representation in a group, or an exaggerated display of emotion.
Ultimately, the term "disproportionate" conveys the idea of something being unequal, imbalanced, or not harmoniously aligned, whether in terms of quantity, distribution, or response. It serves as a descriptive tool to highlight deviations, inconsistencies, or disparities, drawing attention to situations that lack proportion or fair distribution.
Not proportioned; unsuitable to something else in bulk, form, or value.
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 disproportionate comes from the combination of two Latin roots: dis- meaning apart or away, and proportionatus which is the past participle of proportionare, meaning to distribute or to proportion. The word proportion itself is derived from the Latin term proportio, which means a part or a share. Therefore, when the prefix dis- is added to proportionate, it emphasizes the idea of something being not in proper proportion or imbalanced in distribution.