"mishandle" meaning in English

See mishandle in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Noun

IPA: /mɪsˈhændəl/ Forms: mishandles [plural]
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”). Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|mishandlen}} Middle English mishandlen, {{pre|en|mis|handle}} mis- + handle, {{cog|stq|mishondelje}} Saterland Frisian mishondelje, {{cog|fy|mishandelje}} West Frisian mishandelje, {{cog|nl|mishandelen|t=to mistreat}} Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), {{cog|de|misshandeln|t=to mistreat}} German misshandeln (“to mistreat”) Head templates: {{en-noun|~}} mishandle (countable and uncountable, plural mishandles)
  1. Rough manipulation which causes physical damage. Tags: countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-mishandle-en-noun-NwFgj5Q2
  2. Ineffective or incorrect deal. Tags: countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-mishandle-en-noun-EhFFv-0r
  3. Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse. Tags: countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-mishandle-en-noun-yH3C-j87

Verb

IPA: /mɪsˈhændəl/ Forms: mishandles [present, singular, third-person], mishandling [participle, present], mishandled [participle, past], mishandled [past]
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”). Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|mishandlen}} Middle English mishandlen, {{pre|en|mis|handle}} mis- + handle, {{cog|stq|mishondelje}} Saterland Frisian mishondelje, {{cog|fy|mishandelje}} West Frisian mishandelje, {{cog|nl|mishandelen|t=to mistreat}} Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), {{cog|de|misshandeln|t=to mistreat}} German misshandeln (“to mistreat”) Head templates: {{en-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. Tags: transitive Synonyms (manipulate roughly): misuse, abuse, handle roughly, handle incorrectly Translations (manipulate roughly): малтретиране (maltretirane) [neuter] (Bulgarian), malmenar (Catalan), käsitellä kovakouraisesti (Finnish), 虐待 (nüèdài) (Mandarin), haukeke (Maori), raukoti (Maori)
    Sense id: en-mishandle-en-verb-tB2Tw6bf Disambiguation of 'manipulate roughly': 92 8 Disambiguation of 'manipulate roughly': 92 8
  2. (transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation. Tags: transitive Synonyms (handle a situation incorrectly): mismanage Translations (deal with incorrectly): malmenar (Catalan), 处理不当 (Chinese Mandarin), hoitaa huonosti (Finnish), tunaroida (Finnish), raukoti (Maori), llevar mal (Spanish)
    Sense id: en-mishandle-en-verb-O1zIYeUA Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English terms prefixed with mis-, English terms with consonant pseudo-digraphs Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 23 15 6 18 39 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 24 5 9 21 41 Disambiguation of English terms prefixed with mis-: 19 13 15 14 39 Disambiguation of English terms with consonant pseudo-digraphs: 20 11 14 16 39 Disambiguation of 'handle a situation incorrectly': 8 92 Disambiguation of 'deal with incorrectly': 2 98

Inflected forms

Download JSON data for mishandle meaning in English (6.8kB)

{
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "mishandlen"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English mishandlen",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "mis",
        "3": "handle"
      },
      "expansion": "mis- + handle",
      "name": "pre"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "stq",
        "2": "mishondelje"
      },
      "expansion": "Saterland Frisian mishondelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fy",
        "2": "mishandelje"
      },
      "expansion": "West Frisian mishandelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "nl",
        "2": "mishandelen",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "de",
        "2": "misshandeln",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "German misshandeln (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English mishandlen, equivalent to mis- + handle. Cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), German misshandeln (“to mistreat”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "mishandles",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "mishandling",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "mishandled",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "mishandled",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "mishandle (third-person singular simple present mishandles, present participle mishandling, simple past and past participle mishandled)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break."
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage."
      ],
      "id": "en-mishandle-en-verb-tB2Tw6bf",
      "links": [
        [
          "manipulate",
          "manipulate"
        ],
        [
          "physical",
          "physical"
        ],
        [
          "damage",
          "damage"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage."
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "misuse"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "abuse"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "handle roughly"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "handle incorrectly"
        }
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "code": "bg",
          "lang": "Bulgarian",
          "roman": "maltretirane",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "tags": [
            "neuter"
          ],
          "word": "малтретиране"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "code": "ca",
          "lang": "Catalan",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "malmenar"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "käsitellä kovakouraisesti"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "code": "cmn",
          "lang": "Mandarin",
          "roman": "nüèdài",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "虐待"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "haukeke"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "92 8",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "manipulate roughly",
          "word": "raukoti"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "23 15 6 18 39",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "24 5 9 21 41",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "19 13 15 14 39",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms prefixed with mis-",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 11 14 16 39",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms with consonant pseudo-digraphs",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis."
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation."
      ],
      "id": "en-mishandle-en-verb-O1zIYeUA",
      "links": [
        [
          "deal",
          "deal"
        ],
        [
          "incorrect",
          "incorrect"
        ],
        [
          "ineffectively",
          "ineffectively"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation."
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "_dis1": "8 92",
          "sense": "handle a situation incorrectly",
          "word": "mismanage"
        }
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "2 98",
          "code": "ca",
          "lang": "Catalan",
          "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
          "word": "malmenar"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "2 98",
          "code": "cmn",
          "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
          "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
          "word": "处理不当"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "2 98",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
          "word": "hoitaa huonosti"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "2 98",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
          "word": "tunaroida"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "2 98",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
          "word": "raukoti"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "2 98",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
          "word": "llevar mal"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/mɪsˈhændəl/"
    }
  ],
  "word": "mishandle"
}

{
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "mishandlen"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English mishandlen",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "mis",
        "3": "handle"
      },
      "expansion": "mis- + handle",
      "name": "pre"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "stq",
        "2": "mishondelje"
      },
      "expansion": "Saterland Frisian mishondelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fy",
        "2": "mishandelje"
      },
      "expansion": "West Frisian mishandelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "nl",
        "2": "mishandelen",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "de",
        "2": "misshandeln",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "German misshandeln (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English mishandlen, equivalent to mis- + handle. Cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), German misshandeln (“to mistreat”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "mishandles",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "~"
      },
      "expansion": "mishandle (countable and uncountable, plural mishandles)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Rough manipulation which causes physical damage."
      ],
      "id": "en-mishandle-en-noun-NwFgj5Q2",
      "links": [
        [
          "Rough",
          "rough"
        ],
        [
          "manipulation",
          "manipulation"
        ],
        [
          "physical",
          "physical"
        ],
        [
          "damage",
          "damage"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Ineffective or incorrect deal."
      ],
      "id": "en-mishandle-en-noun-EhFFv-0r",
      "links": [
        [
          "Ineffective",
          "ineffective"
        ],
        [
          "incorrect",
          "incorrect"
        ],
        [
          "deal",
          "deal"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse."
      ],
      "id": "en-mishandle-en-noun-yH3C-j87",
      "links": [
        [
          "Improper",
          "improper"
        ],
        [
          "wrong",
          "wrong"
        ],
        [
          "bad",
          "bad"
        ],
        [
          "usage",
          "usage"
        ],
        [
          "treatment",
          "treatment"
        ],
        [
          "abuse",
          "abuse"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/mɪsˈhændəl/"
    }
  ],
  "word": "mishandle"
}
{
  "categories": [
    "English 3-syllable words",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms prefixed with mis-",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with consonant pseudo-digraphs",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "mishandlen"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English mishandlen",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "mis",
        "3": "handle"
      },
      "expansion": "mis- + handle",
      "name": "pre"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "stq",
        "2": "mishondelje"
      },
      "expansion": "Saterland Frisian mishondelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fy",
        "2": "mishandelje"
      },
      "expansion": "West Frisian mishandelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "nl",
        "2": "mishandelen",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "de",
        "2": "misshandeln",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "German misshandeln (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English mishandlen, equivalent to mis- + handle. Cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), German misshandeln (“to mistreat”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "mishandles",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "mishandling",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "mishandled",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "mishandled",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "mishandle (third-person singular simple present mishandles, present participle mishandling, simple past and past participle mishandled)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English transitive verbs"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break."
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "manipulate",
          "manipulate"
        ],
        [
          "physical",
          "physical"
        ],
        [
          "damage",
          "damage"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English transitive verbs"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis."
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "deal",
          "deal"
        ],
        [
          "incorrect",
          "incorrect"
        ],
        [
          "ineffectively",
          "ineffectively"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/mɪsˈhændəl/"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "misuse"
    },
    {
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "abuse"
    },
    {
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "handle roughly"
    },
    {
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "handle incorrectly"
    },
    {
      "sense": "handle a situation incorrectly",
      "word": "mismanage"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "bg",
      "lang": "Bulgarian",
      "roman": "maltretirane",
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "tags": [
        "neuter"
      ],
      "word": "малтретиране"
    },
    {
      "code": "ca",
      "lang": "Catalan",
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "malmenar"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "käsitellä kovakouraisesti"
    },
    {
      "code": "cmn",
      "lang": "Mandarin",
      "roman": "nüèdài",
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "虐待"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "haukeke"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "manipulate roughly",
      "word": "raukoti"
    },
    {
      "code": "ca",
      "lang": "Catalan",
      "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
      "word": "malmenar"
    },
    {
      "code": "cmn",
      "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
      "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
      "word": "处理不当"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
      "word": "hoitaa huonosti"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
      "word": "tunaroida"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
      "word": "raukoti"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "deal with incorrectly",
      "word": "llevar mal"
    }
  ],
  "word": "mishandle"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English 3-syllable words",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms prefixed with mis-",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with consonant pseudo-digraphs",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "mishandlen"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English mishandlen",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "mis",
        "3": "handle"
      },
      "expansion": "mis- + handle",
      "name": "pre"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "stq",
        "2": "mishondelje"
      },
      "expansion": "Saterland Frisian mishondelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fy",
        "2": "mishandelje"
      },
      "expansion": "West Frisian mishandelje",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "nl",
        "2": "mishandelen",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "de",
        "2": "misshandeln",
        "t": "to mistreat"
      },
      "expansion": "German misshandeln (“to mistreat”)",
      "name": "cog"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English mishandlen, equivalent to mis- + handle. Cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), German misshandeln (“to mistreat”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "mishandles",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "~"
      },
      "expansion": "mishandle (countable and uncountable, plural mishandles)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Rough manipulation which causes physical damage."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Rough",
          "rough"
        ],
        [
          "manipulation",
          "manipulation"
        ],
        [
          "physical",
          "physical"
        ],
        [
          "damage",
          "damage"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Ineffective or incorrect deal."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Ineffective",
          "ineffective"
        ],
        [
          "incorrect",
          "incorrect"
        ],
        [
          "deal",
          "deal"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Improper",
          "improper"
        ],
        [
          "wrong",
          "wrong"
        ],
        [
          "bad",
          "bad"
        ],
        [
          "usage",
          "usage"
        ],
        [
          "treatment",
          "treatment"
        ],
        [
          "abuse",
          "abuse"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/mɪsˈhændəl/"
    }
  ],
  "word": "mishandle"
}

This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-04-30 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-04-21 using wiktextract (210104c and c9440ce). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.