misbecome

American  

[mis-bi-kuhm] / ˌmɪs bɪˈkʌm /

verb (used with object)

misbecame, misbecome, misbecoming

1. to be unsuitable, unbecoming, or unfit for.

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misbecome British  

/ ˌmɪsbɪˈkʌm /

verb

1. (tr) to be unbecoming to or unsuitable for

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Etymology

Origin of misbecome

First recorded in 1520–30; mis- ¹ + become

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

misbecome misbecame misbecoming

Scottish tradition, quoted, I think, in some part of the Border Minstrelsy, ascribes to the clan of Tweedie, a family once stout and warlike, a descent which would not have misbecome a hero of antiquity.

From The Betrothed by Scott, Walter, Sir

His probity, his correctness in private life, his decency of deportment, and his general ability, would not have misbecome a colleague of Walsingham and Burleigh.

From Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

There was a juryman there, a father with many daughters, who thought that it might not misbecome him to put forward such a prayer himself.

From The Vicar of Bullhampton by Trollope, Anthony

Apparently the stranger, though habited as a Moslemin, was not insensible to the genius of the locality, nor indeed would his form and countenance have misbecome a contemporary of Pericles and Phidias.

From The Rise of Iskander by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield

At forty she would not misbecome the marble.

From Woman in the Ninteenth Century and Kindred Papers Relating to the Sphere, Condition and Duties, of Woman. by Fuller, Margaret

Thou didst what deed that misbecame thy life?

From The Seven Plays in English Verse by Sophocles

But having acquired it she discovered herself to be too tall and too broad for it, so that it misbecame her mightily.

From The Great Captain: A Story of the Days of Sir Walter Raleigh by Tynan, Katharine

So the heart of the Marquis was hardened, and he was strengthened to do that which misbecame him both as a gentleman and a landlord.

From The Vicar of Bullhampton by Trollope, Anthony

Is there any thing misbecoming or ungentle about me?

From The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter by Burnaby, William

Nought misbecoming to thyself or sire Doest thou or speak’st, befriending a good man.

From The Seven Plays in English Verse by Sophocles

“Stop your grog, indeed!” said Remarkable, rising with great indignation, and seizing a candle; “you’re groggy now, Benjamin and I’ll quit the room before I hear any misbecoming words from you.”

From The Pioneers by Cooper, James Fenimore

If ladies prefer what is ugly and misbecoming, the dressmakers have to make it.

From Routledge's Manual of Etiquette by Routledge, George

Your most sprightly Flights borrow no Graces from Detraction; you never speak a misbecoming Word, nor do an ill-natur’d Action, tho’ ’tis always in your Power.

From Zadig Or, The Book of Fate by Voltaire