mistake English · revision 4026

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1330|origins=non mistaka}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /mɪˈsteɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|mistaken]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|non|mistaka|t=to take in error; to miscarry]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from mis- “wrongly” and taka “to take”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) or formed in English from [[mis-]] and [[take]], perhaps a blend of both.^(Etymonline) It was northern in its earliest use,^(Hoad 1986) and its meaning was probably influenced by Old French mesprendre.^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) The noun is from the verb.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[mistaken]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “To commit an offence, transgress”: about 1330 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the mid-14th century in Etymonline^(Etymonline) and before 1338 in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “To misunderstand, take in a wrong sense” is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and “to take or choose wrongly”, as in ''to mistake one's way'', from 1390.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) “To err in opinion or judgment” is from the 1580s.^(Etymonline) The noun, “an error in action, opinion or judgment”, is from 1638,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1630s in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the earlier noun was mistaking (about 1300).^(Etymonline) ''And no mistake'', “without doubt”, is by 1818,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and an unplanned pregnancy or baby from 1957.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The Century Dictionary distinguished a mistake, a false judgment or choice, from an error, which may imply moral fault.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1330 – verb, to transgress.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – to misunderstand.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1390 – to choose wrongly.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1638 – noun, an error.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1818 – ''and no mistake''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1957 – an unplanned pregnancy.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[error]] resulting from poor judgment, lack of knowledge or carelessness.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A misunderstanding.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To understand wrongly; to [[misinterpret]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To identify wrongly: ''mistook him for his brother''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To choose wrongly.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mistaker]]

+ * [[mistakenly]]

+ * [[mistakingly]]

+ * [[mistakable]]

+ * [[unmistakable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mistaken]]

+ * [[take]]

+ * [[mis-]]

+ * [[error]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}