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to misdefine

to misdefine

1 7.3
To give a wrong meaning of a word or idea
  • verb
  • /ˌmɪs.dɪˈfaɪn/
translation icon : definir incorrectamente
  • He often misdefines technical jargon, leading to confusion among his colleagues.

Now let's face it, the word narcissism is misused and misdefined all the time.

Examples

  • "Now don't misdefine me," says B. Gordon.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Now let's face it, the word narcissism is misused and misdefined all the time.

  • If you misdefine a term in your essay, your argument may become unclear.

  • It's important not to misdefine key concepts when teaching.

Synonyms

to misinterpret
vsto misdefine
23 4.2

To understand something in the wrong way

aims at stating a wrong precise meaning instead of wrong interpretation
to misconstrue
vsto misdefine
22 7.7

To understand what someone says or does in the wrong way

involves wrongly stating the precise meaning rather than misunderstanding
to mischaracterize
vsto misdefine
  • US
10 8.0

To describe a person or thing unfairly

focuses on giving a wrong precise meaning
to misdescribe
vsto misdefine
1 6.3

Say something about a person or thing that is not correct

gives a wrong precise meaning or label

How Accurate

to define
878 1.0
to misdefine
1 7.3

Surface Forms

misdefine infinitive
misdefined past
misdefined past participle
misdefining present participle
misdefines third person singular

Morphology

misdefine = define (transparent) = mis + define

Formed by the productive prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' added to the verb 'define', so the meaning 'to define incorrectly' is directly derived.

Etymology

Misdefine is made from mis- meaning 'wrong' and define meaning 'to explain the meaning of something', just like in mistake or misunderstand. So, to misdefine is to give a wrong or not correct definition of something.