misconstruction
nounEtymology From mis- + construction.
› Mistaken or faulty construction; an instance of it.
1
A misunderstanding or misinterpretation resulting from a different meaning than intended of a word that has multiple meanings.
- Our attention has been called to the possibility of misconstruction in our reply given under the above heading in the December issue concerning track circuit through busy stations normally entered at low speeds.1941 March, “The Why and the Wherefore: Track Circuit”, in Railway Magazine, page 142:
2
Other misconstrual or misinterpretation not necessarily hinging on missense of any particular word.
- a misconstruction of the law
3
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences An ungrammatical phrase; a misformed word.
4
Uncommon The act of misbuilding; an instance of it.
- Related terms
- eggcorn