mishandle
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English mishandlen, equivalent to mis- + handle. Cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), German misshandeln (“to mistreat”).
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
mishandle (third-person singular simple present mishandles, present participle mishandling, simple past and past participle mishandled)
- (transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.
- If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break.
- (transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.
- The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis.
Synonyms edit
- (manipulate roughly): misuse, abuse, handle roughly, handle incorrectly
- (handle a situation incorrectly): mismanage
Translations edit
manipulate roughly
|
deal with incorrectly
Noun edit
mishandle (countable and uncountable, plural mishandles)
- Rough manipulation which causes physical damage.
- Ineffective or incorrect deal.
- Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse.
Anagrams edit
Norwegian Bokmål edit
Etymology edit
From Middle Low German mishandelen.
Verb edit
mishandle (imperative mishandl or mishandle, present tense mishandler, simple past and past participle mishandla or mishandlet)
Derived terms edit
References edit
- “mishandle” in The Bokmål Dictionary.