Misquoting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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misquoting
[mɪsˈkwoʊtɪŋ ]
Definition
citing incorrectly
Misquoting refers to the act of inaccurately quoting someone or something. This can occur unintentionally due to misunderstanding or can also happen deliberately to distort the original meaning. Misquoting can significantly alter the context of the statement made. It often leads to misinformation and can damage reputations when used in public discourse.
Synonyms
distort, misinterpret, misrepresent.
Examples of usage
- He was misquoting the author's main argument.
- The journalist was accused of misquoting a public official.
- In her speech, she risked misquoting historical facts.
- They often misquote scholars to support their views.
Translations
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Origin of 'misquoting'
The term 'misquoting' is formed from the prefix 'mis-', which comes from Old English and means 'wrongly' or 'badly', combined with 'quote', which originates from the Latin word 'quotare', meaning 'to mark a number' or 'to set a value'. The use of 'quote' as a verb in English dates back to the late 16th century and initially referred to the act of citing a reference or mention. 'Misquoting' as a concept has evolved particularly in the context of media and communications where accuracy in representation of spoken or written words has become increasingly crucial. The proliferation of digital media and social networks has further highlighted the importance of correct quotations, as misquotes can quickly spread, leading to widespread misconceptions.