error

Definition

The state, quality, or condition of being wrong.

Etymology

From Middle English errour, from Anglo-Norman errour, borrowed from Old French error, from Latin error (“wandering about”, noun), derived from the verb errō (“to wander, to err”). Cognate with Gothic 𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌶𐌴𐌹 (airzei, “error”), Gothic 𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌶𐌾𐌰𐌽 (airzjan, “to lead astray”). More at err. By surface analysis, err + -or (suffix forming nouns of quality, state, or condition).

Example Sentences

• ""Am I in error in marking out the s in the word assistants used in the following manner?[…]""
• "There was a large error in the accounts."
• "Chris Brunt sliced the spot-kick well wide but his error was soon forgotten as Olsson headed home from a corner."

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