mishandle

English

Etymology

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

• IPA^(key): /mɪsˈhændəl/

Verb

mishandle (third-person singular simple present mishandles, present participle mishandling, simple past and past participle mishandled)

1. (transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.

   If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break.

2. (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

• (manipulate roughly): misuse, abuse, handle roughly, handle incorrectly
• (handle a situation incorrectly): mismanage

Translations

Noun

mishandle (countable and uncountable, plural mishandles)

1. Rough manipulation which causes physical damage.
2. Ineffective or incorrect deal.
3. Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse.

Anagrams

• shieldman

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Middle Low German mishandelen.

Verb

mishandle (imperative mishandl or mishandle, present tense mishandler, simple past and past participle mishandla or mishandlet)

1. to maltreat or mistreat

Derived terms

• mishandling

References

• “mishandle” in The Bokmål Dictionary.