missay
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to say or speak ill of; vilify; slander.
-
to say wrongly.
verb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
- missayer noun
Etymology
Origin of missay
First recorded in 1175–1225, missay is from the Middle English word misseyen. See mis- 1, say 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Spenser knew the name well: “Diggon Davie, I bid her ‘good-day;’ Or Diggon her is, or I missay.”
From Project Gutenberg
Missay, mis-sā′, v.i. to say or speak incorrectly or falsely.—v.t. to utter amiss: to slander.
From Project Gutenberg
“Thou dost not missay thyself,” said she.
From Project Gutenberg
Spenser," he continues, "begins one of his pastorals with studied barbarity: Diggon Davie, I bid her good day; Or Diggon her is, or I missay.
From Project Gutenberg
For understand plainly, Pietro; I am a woman like other women and have a mind unto that which other women desire; so that, an I procure me thereof, not having it from thee, thou hast no call to missay of me therefor; at the least, I do thee this much honour that I have not to do with horseboys and scald-heads.'
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.