Misprision

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /mɪsˈpɹɪʒ(É™)n/

Origin

From Anglo-Norman mesprison, mesprisioun et al., from mespris + -ion.

Full definition of misprision

Noun

1. (legal) Criminal neglect of duty or wrongful execution of official duties.
2. Misinterpretation or misunderstanding.
• 1595, Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, III - 2What hast thou done? thou hast mistaken quiteAnd laid the love-juice on some true-love's sight:Of thy misprision must perforce ensueSome true love turn'd and not a false turn'd true.
• 1984, Martin Amis, Money, Vintage 2005, p. 331:they have what men call self-belief and blame you for your misprisions in their dreams, they are conspiracy theorists, benevolent dictators ....

Related terms

• misprision of felony
• misprision of treason

Usage notes

Negative misprision is misprision by neglect of duty, notably a duty to report information about a felony or treason. Positive misprision is maladministration or the commission of other serious offence falling short of actual felony or treason.