Le terme désaxé qualifie une personne qui a perdu son équilibre psychique, sa stabilité ou ses repères. Au sens propre, il se dit d’un mécanisme ou d’une pièce qui est sorti de son axe.

The chain came off my tricycle this morning. It was the first day following its return from Derand (where I had it overhauled) that I tried it. Everything was fine until I shifted through all 7 gears.  It derailed on the lowest gear (which I seldom use in any event). The obstacle – though trifling – will have to be addressed by someone else than me. I simply haven’t the strength to remain standing long enough to do so. Naturally I am perturbed by this unanticipated sequence but I continue to remind myself that it is a relatively minor inconvenience.