1. French origin:
* "Of" or "from": This is the most common meaning, especially when used in names, titles, or phrases of French origin.
* Examples: "Duke de Rohan" (Duke of Rohan), "Côte d'Azur" (Coast of Azure), "de facto" (from the fact).
2. Prefix:
* "Down" or "away": This meaning is seen in words like "descend" (to move down), "defeat" (to overcome), "decompose" (to break down), or "depart" (to move away).
3. Part of a larger word:
* "De-" can be part of a larger word, contributing to its meaning:
* Examples: "deceptive" (tending to mislead), "dehydrate" (to remove water), "delicious" (pleasing to the taste).
4. Informal use:
* "From": Sometimes used informally in place of "from" in informal speech or writing, particularly in phrases like "de here" or "de there".
It's important to note:
* The meaning of "de" will depend on the specific word or phrase it's part of.
* It's often helpful to consider the context and origin of the word to determine its meaning.
Let me know if you have a specific example you'd like me to analyze!