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misdemean

transitive verb mis·de·mean \ ¦misdə̇¦mēn , -stə̇- \

Definition of misdemean

archaic
: to behave (oneself) badly
  • you that best should teach us, have misdemeaned yourself
  • —Shakespeare

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Origin and Etymology of misdemean

1mis- + demean (verb)

2

misdemean

noun \ " \

Definition of misdemean

archaic
: an act of misbehavior
  • if any convict shall … commit any misdemean
  • —S. J. Barrows

Origin and Etymology of misdemean

1mis- + demean (noun)

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