Mishape

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause or experience a distortion in shape or form, resulting in an irregular or faulty appearance
2. To produce or develop into an imperfect or abnormal configuration, deviating from the intended structure or contour
3. To undergo or induce a deformation that disrupts normal shape, leading to a misshapen or flawed outline

Etymology: "Mishape" is a verb meaning to shape badly or to deform, and it is built from two plain English parts: the prefix "mis-", meaning wrongly or badly, and "shape". The prefix comes from Old English "mis-", which carries the sense of error or failure and has been productive in English ever since, giving us words like "misspell" and "misjudge". "Shape" itself is inherited from Old English "gesceap", meaning form or creation, and it is related to the verb "shape" in its older senses of creating or ordaining. Combining it with "mis-" gives a straightforward sense: to give something a faulty or distorted form. The verb is uncommon in modern English, and its history is a simple compound rather than a story of borrowing or dramatic change in meaning. Its literal sense has stayed close to its parts throughout.

Synonyms: deform, misshape, distort, malform

Antonyms: shape, form, mold, mould