disfeature: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicLiterary, Archaic, Poetic
Quick answer
What does “disfeature” mean?
To spoil the appearance or features of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To spoil the appearance or features of something; to mar the outline or form.
To deform, distort, or alter the characteristic appearance of something, often in a way that diminishes its beauty or typical structure. Can be used literally (physical appearance) or figuratively (character, landscape, plan).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or usage; the word is equally archaic in both variants.
Connotations
In both, it carries a literary, somewhat dramatic, or old-fashioned tone.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use for both. May be slightly more likely found in British historical texts, but this is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “disfeature” in a Sentence
Subject + disfeature + Direct Object (thing marred)Passive: be disfeatured by + agentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disfeature” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new housing estate would completely disfeature the lovely valley.
- Time and illness had begun to disfeature his once-handsome countenance.
American English
- The vandal's graffiti disfeatured the historic monument.
- They worried the new regulations would disfeature the original character of the neighborhood.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- The disfeatured statue stood as a sad reminder of the war.
- He looked upon the disfeatured manuscript with despair.
American English
- The disfeatured landscape was the result of strip mining.
- She tried to restore the disfeatured painting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, might appear in literary criticism or historical analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in standard technical fields; possibly in very specialised artistic or restoration contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disfeature”
- Using it in modern conversation or writing.
- Confusing it with 'malfunction' or 'disable'.
- Misspelling as 'disfeather' or 'disfigure' (though 'disfigure' is a close synonym).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic or highly literary. In most contexts, synonyms like 'mar', 'disfigure', or 'spoil' are used instead.
Yes, though rare. It can be used figuratively to mean spoiling the character or essence of something, like a plan or an idea (e.g., 'amendments that disfeature the original proposal').
They are close synonyms. 'Disfigure' is far more common and often implies severe, lasting damage, especially to a living being's appearance. 'Disfeature' is more literary and can imply a spoiling of the distinctive features or outline of anything.
For most learners, it is a word to recognise passively, particularly in older literature. Active use is not recommended as it will sound unnatural or pretentious in contemporary speech or writing.
To spoil the appearance or features of something.
Disfeature is usually literary, archaic, poetic in register.
Disfeature: in British English it is pronounced /dɪsˈfiːtʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈfiːtʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DIS' + 'FEATURE'. To take away or ruin the distinct FEATUREs of something.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY/ORDER IS A FACE/FEATURE (damaging beauty is like damaging a face).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'disfeature' be LEAST appropriate?