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misfeasance

[ mis-fee-zuhns ]
/ mɪsˈfi zəns /

noun Law.

a wrong, actual or alleged, arising from or consisting of affirmative action.
the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority.

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Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
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Compare malfeasance, nonfeasance.

Origin of misfeasance

From the Anglo-French word mesfesance, dating back to 1590–1600. See mis-1, feasance

Words nearby misfeasance

misery, misery index, Misery loves company, misesteem, misestimate, misfeasance, misfeasor, misfeature, misfeed, misfile, misfire
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for misfeasance

British Dictionary definitions for misfeasance

misfeasance
/ (mɪsˈfiːzəns) /

noun

law the improper performance of an act that is lawful in itselfCompare malfeasance, nonfeasance

Derived forms of misfeasance

misfeasor, noun

Word Origin for misfeasance

C16: from Old French mesfaisance, from mesfaire to perform misdeeds
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012