misprize

misprize

English

Alternative forms

• mesprise
• misprise

Etymology

From Middle French mespriser (verb), mespris (noun).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /mɪsˈpɹʌɪz/ (verb)

Verb

misprize (third-person singular simple present misprizes, present participle misprizing, simple past and past participle misprized)

1. To despise or hold in contempt; to undervalue. [from 15th c.]
   • c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, First Folio 1621, III.1:

     Nature neuer fram'd a womans heart,

     Of prowder stuffe then that of Beatrice:

     Disdaine and Scorne ride sparkling in her eyes,

     Mis-prizing what they looke on […].

Noun

misprize (uncountable)

1. (obsolete, rare) Contempt. [16th-19th c.]
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, IV.9:

     He ment to make them know their follies prise, / Had not those two him instantly desired / T'asswage his wrath, and pardon their mesprise […].

Related terms

• misprision