Misdefines

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Gives a meaning or explanation of a term that is wrong or inaccurate
2. States or presents a definition that does not correctly represent the true sense of a word or concept
3. Offers an interpretation or explanation of a term that is mistaken or misleading

Etymology: "Misdefines" is the third-person singular present form of "misdefine," so it is simply the verb with an -s ending for "he, she or it." The verb itself is built from "mis-," a prefix meaning "wrongly" or "badly," attached to "define," which traces back through Old French "definir" to Latin "definire," meaning "to limit" or "to set boundaries around." The original sense of "define" was therefore about marking the edges of something, and only later about stating what a thing is. Because "define" carries that sense of fixing a boundary, "misdefine" describes giving the wrong limits or the wrong account of a meaning. Its formation is transparent: the prefix does the work of "wrongly," and the base verb supplies the action of explaining a word's sense.

Synonyms: misinterprets, mischaracterizes, misrepresents, misconstrues, mistakes

Antonyms: defines, explains, clarifies, interprets, describes