misprision

¹ American  

[mis-prizh-uhn] / mɪsˈprɪʒ ən /

noun

1. a neglect or violation of official duty by one in office.

2. failure by one not an accessory to prevent or notify the authorities of treason or felony.

3. a contempt against the government, monarch, or courts, as sedition, lese majesty, or a contempt of court.

4. a mistake; misunderstanding.

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misprision ² American  

[mis-prizh-uhn] / mɪsˈprɪʒ ən /

noun

1. contempt or scorn.

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misprision ¹ British  

/ mɪsˈprɪʒən /

noun

1. 1. a failure to inform the proper authorities of the commission of an act of treason

   2. the deliberate concealment of the commission of a felony

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misprision ² British  

/ mɪsˈprɪʒən /

noun

1. contempt

2. failure to appreciate the value of something

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Etymology

Origin of misprision¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French mesprision, equivalent to mes- mis- ¹ + prision < Latin prēnsiōn-, variant of prehēnsiōn- (stem of prehēnsiō ) prehension

Origin of misprision²

First recorded in 1580–90; misprise + -ion

Example Sentences

The jury found Mr. Sullivan guilty on one count of obstructing the F.T.C.’s investigation and one count of misprision, or acting to conceal a felony from authorities.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2022

Two really common pleas are solicitation and misprision.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2020

She pleaded guilty in May to misprision of a felony.

From Washington Times • Aug. 16, 2019

He faced a charge of misprision of a felony, or concealing knowledge of a crime from authorities, the Post and Courier in Charleston reported, citing unnamed officials.

From Reuters • Sep. 17, 2015

Lord Northumberland had been sent to the Tower by the Star Chamber for misprision of treason, on the flimsy pretext of his intimacy with Thomas Percy.

From Sir Walter Ralegh A Biography by Stebbing, W. (William)