Mis*take" (mis*tAk"), v. t. [imp. & obs. p. p. Mistook (- tuk"); p. p. Mistaken (-tAk"'n); p. pr. & vb. n. Mistaking.] [Pref. mis- + take: cf. Icel. mistaka.]

1.

To take or choose wrongly. [Obs. or R.] Shak.

2.

To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand misapprehend, or misconceive; as, to mistake a remark; to mistake one's meaning. Locke.

My father's purposes have been mistook.
Shak.

3.

To substitute in thought or perception; as, to mistake one person for another.

A man may mistake the love of virtue for the practice of it.
Johnson.

4.

To have a wrong idea of in respect of character, qualities, etc.; to misjudge.

Mistake me not so much,
To think my poverty is treacherous.
Shak.

 

© Webster 1913


Mis*take", v. i.

To err in knowledge, perception, opinion, or judgment; to commit an unintentional error.

Servants mistake, and sometimes occasion misunderstanding among friends.
Swift.

 

© Webster 1913


Mis*take" (mis*tAk"), n.

1.

An apprehending wrongly; a misconception; a misunderstanding; a fault in opinion or judgment; an unintentional error of conduct.

Infallibility is an absolute security of the understanding from all possibility of mistake.
Tillotson.

2. (Law)

Misconception, error, which when non-negligent may be ground for rescinding a contract, or for refusing to perform it.

No mistake, surely; without fail; as, it will happen at the appointed time, and no mistake. [Low]

Syn. -- Blunder; error; bull. See Blunder.

 

© Webster 1913