misfeasance

[mis-fee-zuh ns]

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.

Compare malfeasance, nonfeasance.

Origin of misfeasance

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for misfeasance

Historical Examples of misfeasance

The sheriff could be sued for misfeasance such as bribery in the King's court.
Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed.
S. A. Reilly
In the language of the courts, an agent is liable to third parties for malfeasance, but not for misfeasance.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 3
Various
The President cannot be held responsible for the misfeasance of subordinates, unless adopted, or at least tolerated, by him.
Charles Sumner; his complete works, volume 9 (of 20)
Charles Sumner
Misfeasance and malfeasance in public office ought to be considered an unpardonable crime, and the guilty dealt with accordingly.
A Book Written by the Spirits of the So-Called Dead
C. G. Helleberg
If any loss has arisen to the estate from any misfeasance, neglect or omission of the trustee, it may require him to make it good.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for misfeasance

misfeasance

noun

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

Derived Formsmisfeasor, 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

Word Origin and History for misfeasance

"wrongful exercise of lawful authority or improper performance of a lawful act," 1590s, from Middle French mesfaisance, from mesfaisant, present participle of Old French mesfaire "to misdo," from mes- "wrongly" (see mis- (2)) + faire "to do," from Latin facere "to perform" (see factitious).