disarray

Etymology

From Middle English disareyen (“to disarray”), from Middle French desarroyer, from Old French desareer, from des- (“dis-”) + areer (“to array”).

verb

  1. (transitive) To throw into disorder; to break the array of.
    Who with fiery steeds / Oft disarray'd the foes in battle ranged. 1726, Elijah Fenton, Odyssey
  2. (transitive) To take off the dress of; to unrobe.

noun

  1. Lack of array or regular order; disorder; confusion.
    Tottenham pushed forward in an attempt to complete the recovery - but only succeeded in leaving themselves wide open to Chelsea's attacks and Redknapp's side ended in total disarray. April 15, 2012, Phil McNulty, “Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea”, in BBC
  2. Confused attire; undress; dishabille.

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