SuaviloquyToday’s word

disband

Disband (; see Dis-), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disbanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Disbanding.]

Etymology: [Pref. dis- + band: cf. OF. desbander, F. débander, to unbind, unbend. See Band, and cf. Disbend, Disbind.]

1. To loose the bands of; to set free; to disunite; to scatter; to disperse; to break up the organization of; especially, to dismiss from military service; as, to disband an army. They disbanded themselves and returned, every man to his own dwelling. Knolles.

2. To divorce. [Obs.] And therefore . . . she ought to be disbanded. Milton.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Disband, v. i.

To become separated, broken up, dissolved, or scattered; especially, to quit military service by breaking up organization.

When both rocks and all things shall disband. Herbert. Human society would in a short space disband. Tillotson.

Shades of meaning

Fernald lists disband only as an antonym, under convoke.

He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.

Synonyms

none given

Antonyms