I. mə-ˈstāk verb
( mis·took -ˈstu̇k ; mis·tak·en -ˈstā-kən ; mis·tak·ing )
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to blunder in the choice of
mistook her way in the dark
2.
a. : to misunderstand the meaning or intention of : misinterpret
don't mistake me, I mean exactly what I said
b. : to make a wrong judgment of the character or ability of
3. : to identify wrongly : confuse with another
I mistook him for his brother
intransitive verb
: to be wrong
you mistook when you thought I laughed at you — Thomas Hardy
• mis·tak·en·ly adverb
• mis·tak·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1600
1. : a wrong judgment : misunderstanding
2. : a wrong action or statement proceeding from faulty judgment, inadequate knowledge, or inattention
Synonyms: see error