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

Solicitation is when you get someone else to commit a crime, and misprision is failing to report a crime.

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

"So thy great gift, upon misprision growing, Comes home again, on better judgment making; Thus have I had thee, as a dream doth flatter In sleep a king; but waking no such matter."

From The Duchess of Wrexe Her Decline and Death; A Romantic Commentary by Walpole, Hugh, Sir