misfeasance

[ mis-fee-zuhns ]

nounLaw.
  1. a wrong, actual or alleged, arising from or consisting of affirmative action.

  2. the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority.

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Origin of misfeasance

1
From the Anglo-French word mesfesance, dating back to 1590–1600. See mis-1, feasance

Words Nearby misfeasance

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How to use misfeasance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for misfeasance

misfeasance

/ (mɪsˈfiːzəns) /


noun
  1. law the improper performance of an act that is lawful in itself: Compare malfeasance, nonfeasance

Origin of misfeasance

1
C16: from Old French mesfaisance, from mesfaire to perform misdeeds

Derived forms of misfeasance

  • misfeasor, noun

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