The word "dishevelled" is commonly misspelled as "dishevled" or "disheveled". The correct spelling is /dɪˈʃɛvəld/ (dih-shev-uld) and it means untidy or tousled in appearance. The prefix "dis-" means negation or reversal, while "hevel" comes from the Old French word for hair. The "-led" ending in "dishevelled" is a past participle suffix. Remembering the etymology of the word can help with its proper spelling, so it's important to know the IPA phonetic transcription for accurate pronunciation.
Dishevelled is an adjective that describes something or someone in a state of disorder, untidiness, or disarray. It commonly refers to the appearance or condition of person's hair, clothes, or overall physical aspect.
When used to describe hair, dishevelled often suggests a wild or unkempt style, giving the impression that it hasn't been combed or styled properly. It may appear tangled, messy, or showing signs of being disturbed, as if the person has not taken the time to groom themselves. Dishevelled hair can be an intentional stylistic choice for some individuals who aim to achieve a casual or effortless look.
In terms of clothing, dishevelled can refer to garments that are wrinkled, rumpled, or not properly put together. It implies that the clothes are untidy or lack the intended neatness and orderliness. Similarly, dishevelled can describe a person's overall appearance when their attire is sloppy, uncoordinated, or mismatched.
Beyond physical appearances, dishevelled can also figuratively describe a situation, environment, or a person's state of mind. It highlights a lack of order, organization, or control, suggesting that things are chaotic, messy, or in disarray. This can be used to describe an untidy room or an unstructured event, as well as a person’s thoughts, emotions, or behavior when they are clearly not composed or collected.
Spread or flowing in disorder.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "dishevelled" has its origin in the Middle French term "deschevele", which is derived from the Old French word "descheveler". "Descheveler" is a combination of the prefix "des-" (indicating reversal) and the term "chevel" (meaning "hair"). Thus, "descheveler" originally meant "to undo the hair" or "to let one's hair down". Over time, the meaning of "descheveler" extended to include the disarray or disorder of anything beyond just hair. In English, "descheveler" turned into "dishevel" around the 16th century, and the past participle "dishevelled" started being used to describe someone or something with messy or untidy hair or appearance.