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to dislocate

to dislocate

4 5.7
To move something from its normal place and make it stop working or fitting
  • verb
  • /ˌdɪsloʊˈkeɪt/
translation icon : desplazar
  • Did Sheriff Dever die of a dislocated shoulder, a rib fracture, or a punctured lung?
  • dislocated workers
  • dislocated people

Also, stock valuations right now are sky high and sometimes they're totally dislocated from reality.

Examples

  • She accidentally dislocated the joint when she tried to lift the heavy box incorrectly.

  • The latter dislocates the body from its surroundings; it appears to float.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Don't pull, dislocate your shoulder, break an arm, any of that and I'll see you next week.

  • The boom is delivering great prosperity but is also damaging the environment and dislocating small rural towns.

    Blog text (34)
  • Youth are particularly sensitive to transformations in the economy as their activities, prospects, and ambitions are dislocated and redirected.

    Academic text (2000)
  • He fell off his bike and dislocated his shoulder, causing him severe pain.

  • The earthquake dislocated several buildings, leaving them unstable and unsafe.

Synonyms

to displace
vsto dislocate
140 5.5

To make a person leave their usual place or job

focuses on moving from the proper position, not necessarily replacing or removing others
to dislodge
vsto dislocate
15 6.1

To force something or someone out of a place where they are stuck

describes moving from proper position without implying force or physical removal
to misalign
vsto dislocate
4 6.7

To put parts in the wrong position so they do not line up

is about moving something entirely out of its proper place rather than arranging it badly
to luxate
vsto dislocate
  • Specialized
9.9

To move a bone or joint out of its normal position

is the general action of moving things from their proper position not only bones
to subluxate
vsto dislocate
  • Specialized
9.9

To move a bone or joint partly out of its normal place

means a full movement out of place that disrupts correct function

Antonyms

483 1.0

To make something right by fixing a mistake

How Displaced

to uproot
38 4.4
to dislocate
4 5.7
to displace
140 5.5
shift
363 3.5
move
167 1.0

Surface Forms

dislocate infinitive
dislocated past
dislocated past participle
dislocating present participle
dislocates third person singular

Morphology

dislocate = locate (semi-transparent) = dis + locate

The sense is fairly guessable as 'put out of place' from dis- plus locate, but learners who know only the common 'find' sense of 'locate' may not infer it fully.

Etymology

Dislocate comes from the parts dis- 'apart' and locate 'place', just like in location. So to dislocate something is to move it away from its normal place, which is why we use it for things like roof tiles, objects, or people who are no longer in the right position or home.