miswend

English

Etymology

From mis- +‎ wend.

Verb

miswend (third-person singular simple present miswends, present participle miswending, simple past and past participle miswent)

1. (obsolete) To go wrong; to stray.
   • 1554, “The .iiii. chapter. Of the Strife bytwene Caligula Tiberius and Messalyne”, in A Memorial of Suche Princes, as Since the Tyme of King Richard the Seconde, Haue Been Unfortunate in the Realme of England‎^[1], The Seventh Boke:

     It sitteth not in no maner wyse / A thefe for theft to syt in iudgement, / A lecherous man a lechour to chastise, / Nor he that hath al his lyfe spent / In waste & riote forfeted and miswent.

   • 1581, Barnabe Rich, Riche His Farewell to Militarie Profession‎^[2], published 1583:

     I now forsake the former tyme I spent. / And sorie am, for that I was miswent.

   • 1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC:

     But things miscounselled must needs miswend.

Related terms

• misgo