misfire
UK[ˌmɪsˈfaɪə(r)]US[ˌmɪsˈfaɪər]
v
(of a gun or engine) to fail to send out a bullet, or to fail to start or run correctly
v
(of a plan, joke, or action) to fail to have the intended or expected effect
Morpheme Breakdown
mis
fire
mis
badly/wrongly
fire
to discharge/shoot
Etymology
the word 'misfire' is a compound formed from the native english prefix 'mis-' and the verb 'fire.' its literal origin is in the context of weaponry, where 'fire' meant to discharge a gun. the prefix 'mis-' indicated a faulty or failed action. this concrete meaning of a firearm failing to discharge was later extended metaphorically to engines failing to ignite and, more broadly, to any plan or action that fails to achieve its intended effect. the logic of the word perfectly captures the notion of an intended 'firing' or initiation that goes awry.
Analysis
Structure: mis (badly/wrongly) + fire (to discharge/shoot)
mis- (prefix of Germanic origin, via Old English, meaning "badly," "wrongly," or "incorrectly"). fire (verb from Old English fȳr, meaning "to set on fire," later extended to the discharge of a gun or engine).
Examples
the car's engine misfired several times before finally starting.
the comedian's joke misfired, leaving the audience in awkward silence.
if the recruitment campaign misfires, the company will struggle to grow.