misdeed

Pronunciation: /mɪsˈdiːd/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun improper or wicked or immoral behavior

Etymology

From Middle English misdede, from Old English misdǣd (“misdeed”), from Proto-West Germanic *missadādi, from Proto-Germanic *missadēdiz (“misdeed”); equivalent to mis- + deed. Cognate with Scots misded (“misdeed”), West Frisian misdied (“misdeed”), Dutch misdaad (“misdeed”), German Missetat (“misdeed”), Swedish missdåd (“misdeed”), Gothic 𐌼𐌹𐍃𐍃𐌰𐌳𐌴𐌸𐍃 (missadēþs, “misdeed”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

misbehavior, misbehaviour

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
wrongdoing
Narrower (hyponyms)
indiscretion, delinquency, indecency, familiarity, mischief, ruffianism

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