misprision

noun mis·pri·sion \ (ˌ)mis-ˈpri-zhən \

Definition of misprision

1 a : neglect or wrong performance of official duty

b : concealment of treason or felony by one who is not a participant in the treason or felony

c : seditious conduct against the government or the courts

2 : misunderstanding, misinterpretation

misprision was our Word of the Day on 09/07/2008. Hear the podcast!

Origin and Etymology of misprision

Middle English, from Anglo-French mesprisun error, wrongdoing, from mesprendre to take by mistake, from mes- mis- + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to seize — more at get

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

misprision

noun

Definition of misprision

: contempt, scorn

Origin and Etymology of misprision

misprize

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1592

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Law Dictionary

misprision

noun mis·pri·sion \ mis-ˈpri-zhən \

legal Definition of misprision

1 : neglectful or wrongful performance of an official duty

2 : a clerical error in a legal proceeding that can be corrected in a summary proceeding

3 : the concealment of a treason or felony and failure to report it to the prosecuting authorities by a person who has not committed it

misprision of felony

misprision of treason

Origin and Etymology of misprision

Anglo-French, error, wrongdoing, from Old French, from mesprendre to make a mistake, from mes- wrongly + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to seize