[syn: perturb, derange, throw out of kilter]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Derange \De*range"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deranged; p. pr. &
vb. n. Deranging.] [F. d['e]ranger; pref. d['e]- = d['e]s-
(L. dis) + ranger to range. See Range, and cf.
Disarrange, Disrank.]
1. To put out of place, order, or rank; to disturb the proper
arrangement or order of; to throw into disorder,
confusion, or embarrassment; to disorder; to disarrange;
as, to derange the plans of a commander, or the affairs of
a nation.
[1913 Webster]
2. To disturb in action or function, as a part or organ, or
the whole of a machine or organism.
[1913 Webster]
A sudden fall deranges some of our internal parts.
--Blair.
[1913 Webster]
3. To disturb in the orderly or normal action of the
intellect; to render insane.
Syn: To disorder; disarrange; displace; unsettle; disturb;
confuse; discompose; ruffle; disconcert.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
derange
v 1: derange mentally, throw out of mental balance; make insane;
"The death of his parents unbalanced him" [syn:
unbalance, derange]
2: throw into great confusion or disorder; "Fundamental
Islamicists threaten to perturb the social order in Algeria
and Egypt" [syn: perturb, derange, throw out of kilter]