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 Mis Words

 

The other day, I was asked the meaning of the word 'misfit'. I said it was something or someone that did not 'fit' properly like the expression 'a square peg in a round hole'. It does not fit properly. It is a misfit. It could be a person trying to become a member of a group. If he or she has nothing in common with the group, they would be a 'misfit'. 

There are lots of words that begin with 'mis'. Not all of them carry a negative meaning but for anyone learning English, here are some words to watch out for: 

These ROOT-WORDS are MIS & MISO which mean WRONG, BAD & HATE. We all make MIStakes and MIS is the ROOT that says it’s wrong. Consider word No.10 Mischief is trouble. The mischievous fellow is a troublemaker, usually a poor student. Smart ones have no time for mischief. Perhaps the mischievous fellow would like to be the leader, the chief. But he cannot be the chief since he does not achieve good work. He wants attention, so he goes in for mischievous acts, achievement of the wrong kind.


1. Misadventure : MIS adventure (mis ad ven’ chur) n.

An accident; misfortune


2. Misalliance : MIS alliance (mis a lie’ ans) n.

An improper union; esp., an improper marriage


3. Misanthrope : MIS anthrope (mis’ an thrope) n.

A hater of mankind


4. Misappropriate : MIS appropriate (mis a pro’ pree ate) v.

To use wrongly; esp., for one’s own benefit


5. Misbegotten : MIS begotten (mis be got’ en) adj.

Born out of wedlock; ill-born


6. Misbehavior : MIS behavior (mis be hay’ vyor) n.

Improper conduct


7. Miscalculate : MIS calculate (mis kal’ kyu late) v.

To make an error in counting


8. Miscarriage : MIS carriage (mis kar’ ij) n.

Wrong handling; as, a miscarriage of justice


9. Miscast : MIS cast (mis kast’) v.

To give an actor a role not suited to him


10. Mischief : MIS chief (mis’ chif) n.

An act which results in damage or injury

11. Misconception : MIS conception (mis kon sep’ shun) n.

An erroneous idea; wrong interpretation


12. Miscreant : MIS creant (mis’ kree ant) n.

An evil-doer; one who is vicious in behavior


13. Misgivings : MIS givings (mis giv’ ings)

Doubt about the result


14. Misnomer : MIS nomer (mis no’ mer) n.

The wrong name


15. Misguide : MIS guide (mis gide’) v.

To lead in the wrong direction


16. Misogynist : MISO gynist ?(mi soj’ i nist) n.

A hater of women


17. Misopedia : MISO pedia (mis o pee’ di a) n.

A morbid dislike of one’s own children


18. Misrepresent : MIS represent (mis rep re zent’) v.

To give a false impression of


19. Mistrial : MIS trial (mis trie’ al) n.

A trial of no effect because of some error in the proceedings


20. Misinterpretation: MIS interpretation (mis in ter pre tay’ shun) n.

Misunderstanding

Source: The free dictionary.com

Note: These should not be confused with Japanese 'Miso' soup which is delicious!