malentendu

American  

[mal-ahn-tahn-dy] / mal ɑ̃ tɑ̃ˈdü /

adjective

1. misunderstood; misapprehended.

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noun

plural

malentendus

1. a misunderstanding; mistake.

Etymology

Origin of malentendu

First recorded in 1610–20; from French mal mal- ( def. ) + entendu, “understood,” past participle of entendre “to understand”; cf. double entendre ( def. )

Example Sentences

But did a British malentendu over another French summer staple — a fictional series of articles in Le Monde — contribute to a mysterious sell-off in French bank stocks last week?

From New York Times • Aug. 14, 2011

Je crois qu'il y a là quelque malentendu que je serai bien aise de faire disparaître, si vous voulez m'y donner le temps.

From The Life of the Rt. Hon. Sir Charles W. Dilke, Volume 1 by Gwynn, Stephen Lucius

After a few more speeches, in which the malentendu is well kept up, Sir Robert goes out, and Lord Goring rushes to the drawing-room to meet—Mrs Cheveley.

From Oscar Wilde by Ingleby, Leonard Cresswell