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

The Papal authority, so often subservient, so often prejudicial to his designs, he called to his assistance in a cause which did not misbecome it,—the cause of a father attacked by his children.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

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

"Oh, yes; a whole lifetime too late," says Miss Priscilla, with a soft, faint blush that would not have misbecome a maiden in her teens.

From Rossmoyne by Unknown

The inhabitants of this island, in form and face, do not misbecome the clime and the country.

From The Voyage of Captain Popanilla by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield

In his tattered, single-breasted frock-coat, buttoned meagerly up to his chin, the shutter-brain made him a bow, which, for courtesy, would not have misbecome a viscount, then turned with silent appeal to the stranger.

From The Confidence-Man by Melville, Herman

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

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

From Routledge's Manual of Etiquette by Routledge, George

“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

There is something misbecoming a man in the bloom of youth, and labouring under no natural disadvantages and infirmities, in the subsisting in any manner upon the bounty of another.

From Italian Letters, Vols. I and II The History of the Count de St. Julian by Godwin, William

Cast off, for shame, ungentle maid, That misbecoming joy thou wear’st!

From Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657. With an Introduction, Textual Notes, A List of Editions, An Appendis of Translation, and a Portrait. by Stanley, Thomas

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