perturb
perturb
Definition
per·turb (pər tʉrb′)
transitive verb
- to cause to be alarmed, agitated, or upset; disturb or trouble greatly
- to cause disorder or confusion in; unsettle
- Astron. to cause perturbations in (the orbit of a planet, moon, etc.)
Etymology: ME perturben < MFr perturber < L perturbare < per-, intens. + turbare, to disturb: see turbid
per·turb′·able adjective
per·turb′·edly adverb
per·turb′er noun
perturb
Synonyms
perturb
v.
perturb
Usage Examples
Object
- field: Finally, some argue that electric field measurements are of little use because the operator perturbs the field.
- model: Various ways to perturb the model, such as variation of parameters in parametrization schemes and stochastic physics, will be explored.
- system: Columns 3 and 4 are QM and MM energy of the forward perturbed system.
- condition: Lyapunov exponent: The Lyapunov characteristic exponent gives the rate of exponential divergence from perturbed initial conditions.
- state: One day, on visiting Angelica there, I found her in a perturbed state of mind.
- orbit: Even at the distance between the outer planets, an intruding tiny star could perturb orbits.
Preposition: at
- thought: The guide, Sunil Adhikari, was a local who did not seem perturbed at the thought of venturing into the notorious slums.
Preposition: into
- orbit: If it ever is perturbed into an orbit that approaches the Sun it will be a truly spectacular comet.
Modifying Another Word
- singularly: S Langdon & IG Graham 2001 Boundary integral methods for singularly perturbed boundary value problems.
- somewhat: Somewhat perturbed, he pumped off five rounds rapid, but the figure still drew closer.
- slightly: Much as i usually look forward to the fantastic culinary delights that usually descend from your kitchen, am feeling slightly perturbed.
- seriously: We are also seriously perturbed by the definition of " best interests " which is very wooly.
- deeply: He, being nearly finished, was obviously deeply perturbed.
- rather: Tim got a towel under me and was rather perturbed when I informed him that the baby was coming " now!
Infinitive complement
- find: Meanwhile Clive was perturbed to find that the sing-song had even infiltrated the coffee shop he had sought refuge in.
- see: I was rather perturbed to see you mentioning the possibility of making a premature withdrawal in your email.
- hear: But as the H-P got close, we were perturbed to hear the engine die.
- learn: But Des was perturbed to learn that his next show was to be an outside broadcast.
Preposition: by
Browse dictionary entries near perturb
- pertness
- pertinent
- pertinence
- pertinacity
- pertinacious
- Perth
- pertaining
- pertain
- pert
- persulfate
- perturbation
- perturbed
- pertussis
- Peru
- Peru current
- Perugia
- Perugino
- peruke
- perusal
- peruse
