Amiss Meaning: Definition and Examples

Literature

• Shakespeare often used the term in his plays to express confusion or disorder, showing its historical significance in English literature.
• A notable example is in 'Hamlet', where the protagonist senses that all is amiss in the kingdom.
• In poetry, phrases like 'something is amiss' evoke feelings of uncertainty and longing, revealing deeper emotions.

Psychology

• People often feel something is amiss when their instincts detect incongruences in social situations, emphasizing the role of intuition.
• Cognitive dissonance can lead to a feeling of being amiss, where one's beliefs and actions are in conflict.
• This feeling can serve as a psychological warning, prompting individuals to reassess their circumstances or choices.

Pop Culture

• In movies and TV shows, characters often exclaim 'something feels amiss' in suspenseful moments to build tension.
• The phrase has been popularized in various songs, expressing themes of heartbreak and confusion.
• Social media memes often use 'amiss' humorously to describe awkward situations or mistakes in everyday life.

Everyday Usage

• Common phrases include 'something is amiss' or 'if all seems amiss,' which convey a sense of unease.
• The word is frequently used to describe physical or emotional states when things feel off-kilter.
• In troubleshooting contexts, saying something is amiss suggests a need to investigate further for a solution.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from Middle English 'amis', which means 'wrongly' or 'badly'.
• It has roots in the Old French 'amiss', meaning 'missing' or 'amiss', highlighting a sense of absence.
• The prefix 'a-' generally indicates a negative state in words, suggesting that something is not as expected.

The word 'amiss' originates from the Old English word 'ames', which means 'amiss, wrong, or bad.' It has been used in various forms throughout Middle English as 'amis' before evolving into its current form. The prefix 'a-' derives from Old French, indicating 'on, in, or at', while 'miss' likely stems from the Latin 'mittere', meaning to 'send' or 'to let go'. Thus, 'amiss' conveys the idea of something being 'off', ‘not sent correctly’, or 'misplaced'. Over the centuries, 'amiss' has maintained its meaning of error or fault, often used in both everyday conversation and more literary contexts.

With rank #15,004, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 15001 overcame
• 15002 recessive
• 15003 dynamically
• 15004 amiss
• 15005 shawl
• 15006 contrivance
• 15007 carcasses
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