misgiving
UK[ˌmɪsˈɡɪvɪŋ]US[ˌmɪsˈɡɪvɪŋ]
n
A feeling of doubt, distrust, or worry about what may happen or about whether something is right.
Morpheme Breakdown
mis
giving
mis
badly/wrongly
giving
act of giving
Etymology
The word 'misgiving' is a compound formed from the negative prefix 'mis-' and the verbal noun 'giving'. Its literal, now obsolete meaning was "a feeling of mistrust or suspicion given to one," as if a negative premonition were bestowed upon a person. This construction reflects a Germanic pattern of creating abstract nouns from verbs combined with prefixes. Over time, the specific sense of a "bad gift" of feeling evolved into the modern, more general meaning of a feeling of doubt, apprehension, or lack of confidence about an outcome or action.
Analysis
Structure: mis (badly/wrongly) + giving (act of giving)
mis: A prefix of Germanic origin (Old English mis-), meaning "badly," "wrongly," or "amiss." It functions as a negative or pejorative modifier.
giving: A noun derived from the verb 'give', of Germanic origin (Old English giefan). In this compound, it functions as the core noun meaning "an act of giving or bestowing."
Examples
She agreed to the plan, but not without some misgivings.
His initial misgiving about the investment proved to be correct.
I read the contract with a growing sense of misgiving.