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

The Justice Department charged Mr. Sullivan with obstruction of justice, misprision of a felony and wire fraud relating to the 2016 breach.

From Washington Times • Jul. 25, 2022

Two really common pleas are solicitation and misprision.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2020

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

Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing, Or me, to whom thou gav'st it, else mistaking; So thy great gift, upon misprision growing, Comes home again, on better judgement making.

From The Golden Treasury Of the Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in the English Language by Palgrave, Francis Turner