Definition of perturb

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per·turb    (pr-tûrb) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
per·turbed, per·turb·ing, per·turbs

1. To disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious.
2. To throw into great confusion.
3. Physics & Astronomy To cause perturbation, as of a celestial orbit.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English perturben, from Old French perturber, from Latin perturbre : per-, per- + turbre, to throw into disorder (from turba, confusion, perhaps from Greek turb)

OTHER FORMS:
per·turba·ble(Adjective)