Dictionary

desocialize en · VERB

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English socialize English desocialize From de- + socialize.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To take out of a social context; individualize.
   • As we desocialize sex and sexuality as purely personal aspects of existence, we begin to see how sexuality is tied to a number of norms... 2008, Jonathan Alexander, Literacy, Sexuality, Pedagogy: Theory and Practice for Composition Studies:
2. (transitive) To cause to withdraw from society.
   • 2004, Arden et al, The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care By twelve weeks puppies enter the juvenile stage, and it is at this stage that a negative experience can desocialize the pup.
3. (transitive) To cause to cease to be politically socialist.
   • It was a painful process to desocialize and rehabilitate the Malian economy. 1975, A P J Van Rensburg, Contemporary Leaders of Africa:

Forms