misquote
UK[ˌmɪsˈkwəʊt]US[ˌmɪsˈkwoʊt]
v
to repeat or report something someone has said or written in a way that is not accurate
v
to cite or reproduce a text, statement, or piece of data incorrectly
Morpheme Breakdown
mis
quote
mis
badly/wrongly
quote
to cite
Etymology
the word 'misquote' is a transparent english compound formed from the native prefix 'mis-' and the verb 'quote.' the prefix 'mis-,' with its roots in old english and proto-germanic, consistently conveys error or fault. the verb 'quote' entered english in the late medieval period from latin, originally related to numbering and referencing specific passages. the logical combination is direct and enduring: to 'quote' is to reproduce words accurately, and to 'misquote' is to do so wrongly. this construction exemplifies the pattern of using the germanic 'mis-' to negate or corrupt actions described by latinate roots, creating a clear semantic link between the literal "wrongly cite" and the modern abstract meaning of inaccurate reporting.
Analysis
Structure: mis (badly/wrongly) + quote (to cite)
- mis: a prefix of Germanic origin (Old English mis-), meaning "badly," "wrongly," or "ill." it functions as a negative or pejorative modifier.
- quote: a verb from latin quotare ("to mark the number of," "to cite"), via medieval latin and middle english. in this compound, it functions as the core lexical root meaning "to cite or repeat words."
Examples
the newspaper was forced to issue a correction after it misquoted the mayor's speech.
historians caution that it is easy to misquote ancient texts if they are taken out of context.
she claimed the interviewer had misquoted her, distorting the intent of her comments.