Misdesignating

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To incorrectly assign a name or label to something
2. to mistakenly categorize or describe something in a way that deviates from its accurate identity
3. to err in the designation or classification of an object, person, or concept

Etymology: The root is the Latin "signum," meaning a mark or sign, which also gave English "sign" and "signal." Latin "designare" added the prefix "de-" to form a verb meaning to mark out or indicate clearly. To designate was originally a matter of drawing a visible boundary or marking something for identification. Over time the sense moved from physical marking toward naming and appointing, which is why we speak of a designated driver or a designated successor. English "mis-" is an old prefix meaning wrongly or amiss. Attached to "designate," it produces a verb for getting the marking or label wrong. The construction is transparent, following the same pattern as "mislabel," "misclassify," and "misname," so its meaning follows directly from its parts: placing a mark on the wrong thing.

Synonyms: mislabeling, misnaming