mi r|ror i m|age (mirror images ) also mirror-image N‑COUNT If something is a mirror image of something else, it is like a reflection of it, either because it is exactly the same or because it is the same but reversed. □ [+ of ] I saw in him a mirror image of my younger self.
mi r|ror si te (mirror sites ) N‑COUNT A mirror site is a website which is the same as another website operated by the same person or organization but has a slightly different address. Mirror sites are designed to make it easier for more people to visit a popular website.
mirth /mɜː r θ/ N‑UNCOUNT Mirth is amusement which you express by laughing. [LITERARY ] □ That caused considerable mirth amongst pupils and sports masters alike.
mirth|less /mɜː r θləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone gives a mirthless laugh or smile, it is obvious that they are not really amused. [WRITTEN ]
PREFIX mis-
forms verbs and nouns that refer to something being done badly or wrongly. For example, misbehaviour is bad behaviour.
mis|ad|ven|ture /m I sədve ntʃə r / (misadventures ) N‑VAR A misadventure is an unfortunate incident. [FORMAL ] □ …a series of misadventures. □ A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded.
mis|an|thrope /m I z ə nθroʊp/ (misanthropes ) N‑COUNT A misanthrope is a person who does not like other people. [FORMAL ]
mis|an|throp|ic /m I z ə nθrɒ pik/ ADJ If you describe a person or their feelings as misanthropic , you mean that they do not like other people. [FORMAL ]
mis|an|thro|py /m I zæ nθrəpi/ N‑UNCOUNT Misanthropy is a general dislike of people. [FORMAL ]
mis|ap|pli|ca|tion /m I sæpl I ke I ʃ ə n/ (misapplications ) N‑VAR If you talk about the misapplication of something, you mean it is used for a purpose it was not intended for. □ [+ of ] He's charged with conspiracy, misapplication of funds and other crimes. □ [+ of ] …a common misapplication of the law.
mis|ap|ply /m I səpla I / (misapplies , misapplying , misapplied ) VERB [usu passive] If something is misapplied , it is used for a purpose for which it is not intended or not suitable. □ [be V -ed] Many lines from Shakespeare's plays are misquoted and misapplied. □ [be V -ed] The law had been misapplied.
mis|ap|pre|hen|sion /m I sæpr I he nʃ ə n/ (misapprehensions ) N‑VAR [oft N that, under N ] A misapprehension is a wrong idea or impression that you have about something. □ Men still appear to be labouring under the misapprehension that women want hairy, muscular men.
mis|ap|pro|pri|ate /m I səproʊ prie I t/ (misappropriates , misappropriating , misappropriated ) VERB If someone misappropriates money which does not belong to them, they take it without permission and use it for their own purposes. □ [V n] I took no money for personal use and have not misappropriated any funds whatsoever. ● mis|ap|pro|pria|tion /m I səproʊprie I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He pleaded guilty to charges of misappropriation of bank funds.
mis|be|have /m I sb I he I v/ (misbehaves , misbehaving , misbehaved ) VERB If someone, especially a child, misbehaves , they behave in a way that is not acceptable to other people. □ [V ] When the children misbehaved, she was unable to cope.
mis|be|hav|iour /m I sb I he I vjə r / in AM, use misbehavior N‑UNCOUNT Misbehaviour is behaviour that is not acceptable to other people. [FORMAL ] □ If the toddler had been dealt with properly, his misbehaviour would have been avoided.
mis|cal|cu|late /m I skæ lkjʊle I t/ (miscalculates , miscalculating , miscalculated ) VERB If you miscalculate , you make a mistake in judging a situation or in making a calculation. □ [V n] It's clear that he has badly miscalculated the mood of the people. □ [V ] The government appears to have miscalculated and bills are higher as a result. ● mis|cal|cu|la|tion /m I skælkjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (miscalculations ) N‑VAR □ The coup failed because of miscalculations by the plotters.
mis|car|riage /m I skæ r I dʒ, -kær-/ (miscarriages ) N‑VAR If a pregnant woman has a miscarriage , her baby dies and she gives birth to it before it is properly formed.
mis|ca r|riage of ju s|tice (miscarriages of justice ) N‑VAR A miscarriage of justice is a wrong decision made by a court, as a result of which an innocent person is punished. □ I can imagine no greater miscarriage of justice than the execution of an innocent man.
mis|car|ry /m I skæ ri, -kæri/ (miscarries , miscarrying , miscarried ) VERB If a woman miscarries , she has a miscarriage. □ [V ] Many women who miscarry eventually have healthy babies. [Also V n]
mis|cast /m I skɑː st, -kæ st/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone who is acting in a play or film is miscast , the role that they have is not suitable for them, so that they appear silly or unconvincing to the audience.
mis|cel|la|neous /m I səle I niəs/ ADJ [ADJ n] A miscellaneous group consists of many different kinds of things or people that are difficult to put into a particular category. □ …a hoard of miscellaneous junk.
mis|cel|la|ny /m I se ləni, [AM ] m I səle I ni/ (miscellanies ) N‑COUNT A miscellany of things is a collection or group of many different kinds of things. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] …glass cases filled with a miscellany of objects.
mis|chief /m I stʃ I f/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Mischief is playing harmless tricks on people or doing things you are not supposed to do. It can also refer to the desire to do this. □ The little lad was a real handful. He was always up to mischief. □ His eyes were full of mischief.