disorientation

English

Etymology

From dis- +‎ orientation[1] or perhaps disorientate +‎ -ation.[1][2]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /dɪsˌɔːɹɪənˈteɪʃən/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /dɪsˌɔ.ɹi.ɪnˈteɪ.ʃn̩/
    Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

disorientation (usually uncountable, plural disorientations)

  1. the loss of one's sense of direction, or of one's position in relationship with the surroundings.
  2. a state of confusion with regard to time, place or identity.
    • 2005, Helen Oyeyemi, The Icarus Girl, Bloomsbury, page 50:
      For the first time since arriving in Nigeria, she felt a gaping disorientation; for a split second she couldnʼt even remember where she was.
  3. a delusion.

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “disorientation (n.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
  2. ^ disorientation, n.”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.