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Definition of de- in English:

de-

prefix

  • 1(forming verbs and their derivatives) down; away.

    ‘descend’
    • ‘deduct’
    1. 1.1Completely.
      ‘denude’
      • ‘derelict’

  • 2(added to verbs and their derivatives) denoting removal or reversal.

    ‘deaerate’
    • ‘de-ice’

  • 3Denoting formation from.

    • ‘deverbal’

Pronunciation

de-

/dēː/ /diː/

Origin

From Latin de ‘off, from’; de- (sense 2) via Old French des- from Latin dis-.