déconcerter
to disconcert; to throw off
verb deh-kon-ser-TEH Rare
Origin: French dé- (reversal) + concerter 'to arrange together'.
Usage Note
Déconcerter describes the state of being thrown off balance, confused, or flustered, typically by something unexpected. Sa réponse m'a déconcerté means 'his answer threw me off'. The past participle déconcerté/déconcertée is frequently used as an adjective: il avait l'air déconcerté (he looked disconcerted).
Examples
"Sa question a déconcerté tout le jury."
Natural Translation
His question disconcerted the entire jury.
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