misgovernment en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mey-? Proto-Indo-European *meyth₂-der. Proto-Germanic *missaz Proto-Germanic *missa- Proto-West Germanic *missa- Old English mis- Middle English mys- English mis- English government English misgovernment From mis- + government.
Meanings
- (countable, uncountable) Bad government.
-
(archaic, countable, uncountable) Failure to restrict oneself; improper behavior; misconduct.
DON JOHN. (talking of the alleged "vile encounters" of Hero with her lover) Fie, fie! they are not to be nam'd, my lord, Not to be spoke of; There is not chastity enough in language Without offence to utter them. Thus, pretty lady, I am sorry for thy much misgovernment.
1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| misgovernments | Number=Plur | lexicographic |