disquantity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare / ArchaicLiterary / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “disquantity” mean?
To lessen the quantity, amount, or proportion of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To lessen the quantity, amount, or proportion of something.
To make less, to reduce, to diminish (archaic or literary usage).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern regional differences exist, as the word is obsolete in both dialects.
Connotations
Historical, poetic, Shakespearean.
Frequency
Equally obsolete and virtually never used in modern speech or writing in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “disquantity” in a Sentence
[Subject] disquantities [Direct Object] (transitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disquantity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The king sought to disquantity the rival lord's retinue.
- We must not disquantity our supplies before winter.
American English
- The general ordered to disquantity the forward garrison.
- This policy will disquantity our available resources.
adverb
British English
- (No modern adverb form)
American English
- (No modern adverb form)
adjective
British English
- (No modern adjective form)
American English
- (No modern adjective form)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical text analysis (e.g., Shakespeare studies).
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disquantity”
- Using it in modern contexts; confusing it with 'disqualify'; mispronouncing as /dɪsˈkwɒn.tɪ.faɪ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic. It was used in Early Modern English, notably by Shakespeare, and is now obsolete.
No, unless you are deliberately writing in an archaic style or quoting a historical text. Use 'reduce,' 'diminish,' or 'lessen' instead.
It appears in 'King Lear' (I.iv.274), where Lear says to Goneril: "Degenerate bastard, I'll not trouble thee; Yet have I left a daughter... Thou shalt find / That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think / I have cast off for ever; thou shalt, I warrant thee." (In some editions, the line is: "...I will resume the shape which thou dost think I have cast off for ever. Thou shalt, I warrant thee." The verb is in a related passage about reducing her train).
It is a transitive verb.
To lessen the quantity, amount, or proportion of something.
Disquantity is usually literary / archaic in register.
Disquantity: in British English it is pronounced /dɪsˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈkwɑːn.tɪ.ti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None specific to this archaic term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS- (undo/reverse) + QUANTITY (amount) = to undo the amount, to reduce.
Conceptual Metaphor
AMOUNT IS A SUBSTANCE THAT CAN BE DIMINISHED (e.g., 'disquantity the heap').
Practice
Quiz
What is the meaning of the archaic verb 'disquantity'?