mistake

Definition

To understand wrongly, taking one thing or person for another.

Etymology

From Middle English mistaken, from Old Norse mistaka (“to take in error, to miscarry”); equivalent to mis- + take. Cognate with Icelandic mistaka (“to mistake”), Swedish missta (“to mistake”) (before apocope misstaga). The noun, which replaced earlier mistaking, is derived from the verb.

Example Sentences

• "Sorry, I mistook you for my brother. You look very similar."
• "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness."
• "My father’s purposes have been mistook;"

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