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Misnomer: meaning, definitions and examples

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misnomer

 

[ mɪsˈnoʊmər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

incorrect name

A misnomer is a term that suggests an idea that is not accurate or true. It is often used to refer to a name that is misleading or incorrect, particularly in legal or technical contexts. Misnomers can arise due to misunderstanding or misinterpretation of terms.

Synonyms

inaccurate term, mislabeling, misnaming

Examples of usage

  • Calling a koala a bear is a common misnomer.
  • The term 'French horn' is a misnomer; it is actually a German instrument.
  • Using 'Starbucks' as a generic term for coffee shops is a misnomer.
  • Referring to a 'life jacket' can be a misnomer since it doesn't always guarantee safety.

Translations

Translations of the word "misnomer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nome inadequado

🇮🇳 गलत नाम

🇩🇪 falscher Name

🇮🇩 nama yang salah

🇺🇦 невірна назва

🇵🇱 błędna nazwa

🇯🇵 誤った名称

🇫🇷 mauvais nom

🇪🇸 nombre erróneo

🇹🇷 yanlış ad

🇰🇷 잘못된 이름

🇸🇦 اسم خاطئ

🇨🇿 nesprávný název

🇸🇰 chybný názov

🇨🇳 错误的名称

🇸🇮 napačno ime

🇮🇸 rangnöfn

🇰🇿 қате атау

🇬🇪 მცდარი სახელი

🇦🇿 yanlış ad

🇲🇽 nombre erróneo

Etymology

The word 'misnomer' originates from the early 14th century Middle English word 'mesnomer', which was derived from the Old French term 'mesnommer', meaning 'to incorrectly name'. This French term is a combination of 'mes-', a variant of 'més' meaning 'wrongly', and 'nommer', which translates to 'to name'. The prefix 'mis-' has been a significant component in several English words that convey the idea of error or incorrectness. Over time, 'misnomer' came to be associated specifically with naming problems or inaccuracies. Its usage in legal and scientific contexts has grown, as precision in terminology is crucial in those fields, making the understanding of terms synonymous with their accurate representation vital.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,567, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.