Definitions & Meanings - English Dictionary

mim|ic|ry / m'ɪmɪkri / [N-UNCOUNT] Mimicry is the action of mimicking someone or something. One of his few strengths was his skill at mimicry.

mina|ret / m'ɪnər'et / (minarets) [N-COUNT] A minaret is a tall thin tower which is part of a mosque.

mince / m'ɪns / (minces mincing minced) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] Mince is meat which has been cut into very small pieces using a machine. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use ground beef , hamburger meat ) Brown the mince in a frying pan. 2 [VERB] V n, V-ed If you mince food such as meat, you put it into a machine which cuts it into very small pieces. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use grind ) Perhaps I'll buy lean meat and mince it myself. ...minced beef. 3 [VERB] V prep/adv If you say that someone, especially a homosexual man, minces somewhere, you mean that they walk there with quick small steps. They minced in, in beach costumes and make-up. 4 [PHRASE] V inflects, with brd-neg If you say that someone does not mince their words , you mean that they speak in a forceful and direct way, especially when saying something unpleasant to someone. The doctors didn't mince their words, and predicted the worst... mince pie (mince pies) [N-COUNT] Mince pies are smal...

mince|meat / m'ɪnsmiːt / 1 [N-UNCOUNT] Mincemeat is a sticky mixture of small pieces of dried fruit. It is usually cooked in pastry to make mince pies. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Mincemeat is the same as mince . (mainly BRIT; in AM, use ground beef , hamburger meat ) = mince 3 [PHRASE] V inflects If you make mincemeat of someone or make mincemeat out of them, you defeat them completely in an argument, fight, or competition. I can imagine a defence lawyer making mincemeat of him if we ever put him up in court.

minc|er / m'ɪnsə r / (mincers) [N-COUNT] A mincer is a machine which cuts meat into very small pieces by forcing it through very small holes. (BRIT; in AM, use meat grinder )

frame of mind (frames of mind) [N-COUNT] usu sing, with supp Your frame of mind is the mood that you are in, which causes you to have a particular attitude to something. Lewis was not in the right frame of mind to continue. ♦♦♦ mind 1 / m'aɪnd / (mind minds) NOUN USES Please look at category 45 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1 [N-COUNT] with poss You refer to someone's mind when talking about their thoughts. For example, if you say that something is in your mind , you mean that you are thinking about it, and if you say that something is at the back of your mind , you mean that you are aware of it, although you are not thinking about it very much. I'm trying to clear my mind of all this... There was no doubt in his mind that the man was serious... I put what happened during that game to the back of my mind... He spent the next hour going over the trial in his mind... = head 2 [N-COUNT] supp N ...

mind|ed / m'aɪndɪd / [ADJ] v-link ADJ, ADJ to-inf, so ADJ If someone is minded to do something, they want or intend to do it. (FORMAL) The Home Office said at that time that it was minded to reject his application for political asylum... = inclined

mind|er / m'aɪndə r / (minders) 1 [N-COUNT] A minder is a person whose job is to protect someone, especially someone famous. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL) = bodyguard 2 [N-COUNT] A minder is the same as a childminder . (BRIT)

mind|ful / m'aɪndfʊl / [ADJ] v-link ADJ, usu ADJ of n If you are mindful of something, you think about it and consider it when taking action. (FORMAL) We must be mindful of the consequences of selfishness... = aware

mind|less / m'aɪndləs / 1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n If you describe a violent action as mindless , you mean that it is done without thought and will achieve nothing. (mainly BRIT) ...a plot that mixes blackmail, extortion and mindless violence. = senseless 2 [ADJ] If you describe a person or group as mindless , you mean that they are stupid or do not think about what they are doing. She wasn't at all the mindless little wife so many people perceived her to be. ● mindlessly [ADV] ADV with v I was annoyed with myself for having so quickly and mindlessly lost thirty dollars. 3 [ADJ] If you describe an activity as mindless , you mean that it is so dull that people do it or take part in it without thinking. ...the mindless repetitiveness of some tasks. ● mindlessly [ADV] ADV with v I spent many hours mindlessly banging a tennis ball against the wall.

coal mine (coal mines) also coalmine [N-COUNT] A coal mine is a place where coal is dug out of the ground. gold mine also goldmine [N-SING] If you describe something such as a business or idea as a gold mine , you mean that it produces large profits. The programme was a gold mine for small production companies. ♦♦♦ mine 1 / m'aɪn / (mine) PRONOUN USE [PRON] oft n of PRON Mine is the first person singular possessive pronoun. A speaker or writer uses mine to refer to something that belongs or relates to himself or herself. Her right hand is inches from mine... I'm looking for a friend of mine who lives here. mine 2 / m'aɪn / (mine mines mining mined) NOUN AND VERB USES 1 [N-COUNT] oft n N A mine is a place where deep holes and tunnels are dug under the ground in order to obtain a mineral such as coal, diamonds, or gold. ...coal mines. 2 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed When a mineral such as coal, diamonds, or gold is mined , it is obtained fr...

mine|field / m'aɪnfiːld / (minefields) 1 [N-COUNT] A minefield is an area of land or water where explosive mines have been hidden. 2 [N-COUNT] oft adj N, N of n If you describe a situation as a minefield , you are emphasizing that there are a lot of hidden dangers or problems, and where people need to behave with care because things could easily go wrong. The whole subject is a political minefield...

♦ min|er / m'aɪnə r / (miners) [N-COUNT] A miner is a person who works underground in mines in order to obtain minerals such as coal, diamonds, or gold. coal min|er (coal miners) also coalminer [N-COUNT] A coal miner is a person whose job is mining coal.

min|er|al / m'ɪnərəl / (minerals) [N-COUNT] A mineral is a substance such as tin, salt, or sulphur that is formed naturally in rocks and in the earth. Minerals are also found in small quantities in food and drink. min|er|al wa|ter (mineral waters) [N-MASS] Mineral water is water that comes out of the ground naturally and is considered healthy to drink.

min|estro|ne / m'ɪnɪstr'oʊni / [N-UNCOUNT] Minestrone soup is a type of soup made from meat stock that contains small pieces of vegetable and pasta.

mine|sweeper / m'aɪnswiːpə r / (minesweepers) also mine sweeper [N-COUNT] A minesweeper is a ship that is used to clear away explosive mines in the sea.

min|gle / m'ɪŋg ə l / (mingles mingling mingled) 1 [V-RECIP] pl-n V, V with n If things such as sounds, smells, or feelings mingle , they become mixed together but are usually still recognizable. Now the cheers and applause mingled in a single sustained roar... Foreboding mingled with his excitement. 2 [V-RECIP] V with pl-n, pl-n V, V (non-recip) At a party, if you mingle with the other people there, you move around and talk to them. Go out of your way to mingle with others at the wedding... Guests ate and mingled... Alison mingled for a while and then went to where Douglas stood with John.

mini / m'ɪni / (minis) [N-COUNT] A mini is the same as a mini-skirt .

minia|ture / m'ɪnɪtʃə r , AM m'ɪniətʃʊr / (miniatures) 1 [ADJ] ADJ n Miniature is used to describe something which is very small, especially a smaller version of something which is normally much bigger. ...miniature roses... He looked like a miniature version of his handsome and elegant big brother. 2 [PHRASE] usu n PHR, PHR after v If you describe one thing as another thing in miniature , you mean that it is much smaller in size or scale than the other thing, but is otherwise exactly the same. Ecuador provides a perfect introduction to South America; it's a continent in miniature... 3 [N-COUNT] A miniature is a very small detailed painting, often of a person. 4 [N-COUNT] A miniature is a very small bottle of strong alcohol such as whisky or brandy, and usually contains enough for one or two drinks.

minia|tur|ize / m'ɪnɪtʃəraɪz / (miniaturizes miniaturizing miniaturized) in BRIT, also use miniaturise [VERB] V n, V-ed If you miniaturize something such as a machine, you produce a very small version of it. ...the problems of further miniaturizing the available technologies. ...miniaturized amplifiers and receivers. ● miniaturization [N-UNCOUNT] ...increasing miniaturization in the computer industry.

mini|bus / m'ɪnibʌs / (minibuses) also mini-bus [N-COUNT] also by N A minibus is a large van which has seats in the back for passengers, and windows along its sides.

mini|cam / m'ɪnikæm / (minicams) [N-COUNT] A minicam is a very small television camera.

min|im / m'ɪnɪm / (minims) [N-COUNT] A minim is a musical note that has a time value equal to two crotchets or two quarter notes. (BRIT; in AM, use half note )

mini|mal / m'ɪnɪm ə l / [ADJ] Something that is minimal is very small in quantity, value, or degree. The co-operation between the two is minimal... One aim of these reforms is effective defence with minimal expenditure.

mini|mal|ism / m'ɪnɪməlɪzəm / [N-UNCOUNT] Minimalism is a style in which a small number of very simple things are used to create a particular effect. In her own home, she replaced austere minimalism with cosy warmth and colour.

mini|mal|ist / m'ɪnɪməlɪst / (minimalists) 1 [N-COUNT] A minimalist is an artist or designer who uses minimalism. He was influenced by the minimalists in the 1970s. 2 [ADJ] Minimalist is used to describe ideas, artists, or designers that are influenced by minimalism. The two designers settled upon a minimalist approach.

mini|mize / m'ɪnɪmaɪz / (minimizes minimizing minimized) in BRIT, also use minimise 1 [VERB] V n If you minimize a risk, problem, or unpleasant situation, you reduce it to the lowest possible level, or prevent it increasing beyond that level. Many of these problems can be minimised by sensible planning. ≠ maximize 2 [VERB] V n If you minimize something, you make it seem smaller or less significant than it really is. Some have minimized the importance of ideological factors... = play down ≠ maximize 3 [VERB] V n If you minimize a window on a computer screen, you make it very small, because you do not want to use it. Click the square icon again to minimize the window. ≠ maximize

♦ mini|mum / m'ɪnɪməm / 1 [ADJ] ADJ n You use minimum to describe an amount which is the smallest that is possible, allowed, or required. He was only five feet nine, the minimum height for a policeman. ...a rise in the minimum wage. ≠ maximum [N-SING] oft a N of amount Minimum is also a noun. This will take a minimum of one hour... Four foot should be seen as an absolute minimum. 2 [ADJ] ADJ n You use minimum to state how small an amount is. The basic needs of life are available with minimum effort... Neil and Chris try to spend the minimum amount of time on the garden. [N-SING] a N of n Minimum is also a noun. With a minimum of fuss, she produced the grandson he had so desperately wished for. 3 [ADV] amount ADV If you say that something is a particular amount minimum , you mean that this is the smallest amount it should be or could possibly be, although a larger amount is acceptable or very possible. You're talking over a thousan...

min|ing / m'aɪnɪŋ / [N-UNCOUNT] Mining is the industry and activities connected with getting valuable or useful minerals from the ground, for example coal, diamonds, or gold. ...traditional industries such as coal mining and steel making... da|ta min|ing [N-UNCOUNT] Data mining involves collecting information from data stored in a database, for example in order to find out about people's shopping habits. (COMPUTING) Data mining is used to analyse individuals' buying habits. strip min|ing also strip-mining [N-UNCOUNT] Strip mining is a method of mining that is used when a mineral is near the surface and underground passages are not needed. (AM; in BRIT, use opencast mining )

min|ion / m'ɪnjən / (minions) [N-COUNT] usu pl, usu poss N If you refer to someone's minions , you are referring to people who have to do what that person tells them to do, especially unimportant or boring tasks. (LITERARY) She delegated the job to one of her minions. = underling

♦♦♦ min|is|ter / m'ɪnɪstə r / (ministers ministering ministered) 1 [N-COUNT] oft N of n, n N In Britain and some other countries, a minister is a person who is in charge of a particular government department. When the government had come to power, he had been named minister of culture... The new Defence Minister is Senator Robert Ray. 2 [N-COUNT] usu supp N A minister is a person who officially represents their government in a foreign country and has a lower rank than an ambassador. He concluded a deal with the Danish minister in Washington. 3 [N-COUNT] A minister is a member of the clergy, especially in Protestant churches. His father was a Baptist minister. 4 [VERB] V to n If you minister to people or to their needs, you serve them or help them, for example by making sure that they have everything they need or want. (FORMAL) For 44 years he had ministered to the poor, the sick, the neglected and the deprived.

min|is|terial / m'ɪnɪst'ɪəriəl / [ADJ] ADJ n You use ministerial to refer to people, events, or jobs that are connected with government ministers. The prime minister's initial ministerial appointments haven't pleased all his supporters.

mini|stra|tions / m'ɪnɪstr'eɪʃ ə nz / [N-PLURAL] usu with poss A person's ministrations are the things they do to help or care for someone in a particular situation, especially someone who is weak or ill. (HUMOROUS or LITERARY) ...the tender ministrations of the buxom woman who cut his hair.

♦♦ min|is|try / m'ɪnɪstri / (ministries) 1 [N-COUNT] oft N of n, n N In Britain and some other countries, a ministry is a government department which deals with a particular thing or area of activity, for example trade, defence, or transport. ...the Ministry of Justice. ...a spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry. 2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu with poss The ministry of a religious person is the work that they do that is based on or inspired by their religious beliefs. His ministry is among the poor.

mink / m'ɪŋk / (minksor mink) 1 [N-COUNT] A mink is a small animal with highly valued fur. ...a proposal for a ban on the hunting of foxes, mink and hares. [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n Mink is the fur of a mink. ...a mink coat. 2 [N-COUNT] A mink is a coat or other garment made from the fur of a mink. Some people like to dress up in minks and diamonds.

min|now / m'ɪnoʊ / (minnows) [N-COUNT] A minnow is a very small fish that lives in lakes and rivers.

♦ mi|nor / m'aɪnə r / (minors minoring minored) 1 [ADJ] You use minor when you want to describe something that is less important, serious, or significant than other things in a group or situation. She is known in Italy for a number of minor roles in films... Western officials say the problem is minor, and should be quickly overcome. ≠ major 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n A minor illness or operation is not likely to be dangerous to someone's life or health. Sarah had been plagued continually by a series of minor illnesses... His mother had to go to the hospital for minor surgery. ≠ major 3 [ADJ] n ADJ, ADJ n In European music, a minor scale is one in which the third note is three semitones higher than the first. ...the unfinished sonata movement in F minor. ≠ major 4 [N-COUNT] A minor is a person who is still legally a child. In Britain and most states in the United States, people are minors until they reach the age of eighteen. The approach has ...

♦♦ mi|nor|ity / mɪn'ɒrɪti, AM -n'ɔːr- / (minorities) 1 [N-SING] oft N of n If you talk about a minority of people or things in a larger group, you are referring to a number of them that forms less than half of the larger group, usually much less than half. Local authority nursery provision covers only a tiny minority of working mothers... ...minority shareholders. ≠ majority [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR If people are in a minority or in the minority , they belong to a group of people or things that form less than half of a larger group. Even in the 1960s, politically active students and academics were in a minority... In the past conservatives have been in the minority. 2 [N-COUNT] A minority is a group of people of the same race, culture, or religion who live in a place where most of the people around them are of a different race, culture, or religion. ...the region's ethnic minorities...

min|strel / m'ɪnstrəl / (minstrels) [N-COUNT] In medieval times, a minstrel was a singer and musician who travelled around and entertained noble families.

mint / m'ɪnt / (mints minting minted) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] Mint is a herb with fresh-tasting leaves. Garnish with mint sprigs. 2 [N-COUNT] A mint is a sweet with a peppermint flavour. Some people suck mints in order to make their breath smell fresher. 3 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu the N The mint is the place where the official coins of a country are made. In 1965 the mint stopped putting silver in dimes. 4 [VERB] V n To mint coins or medals means to make them in a mint. ...the right to mint coins. 5 [N-SING] usu a N If you say that someone makes a mint , you mean that they make a very large amount of money. (INFORMAL) Everybody thinks I'm making a mint... = loads 6 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR If you say that something is in mint condition , you mean that it is in perfect condition. mint sauce [N-UNCOUNT] Mint sauce is a sauce made from mint leaves, vinegar, and sugar, which is often eaten with lamb.

mint|ed / m'ɪntɪd / [ADJ] usu ADJ n, adv ADJ If you describe something as newly minted or freshly minted , you mean that it is very new, and that it has only just been produced or completed. He seemed to be pleased by this newly minted vehicle. ...the movie's freshly minted script.

minu|et / m'ɪnju'et / (minuets) 1 [N-COUNT] In the music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a minuet is a piece of music with three beats in a bar which is played at moderate speed. 2 [N-COUNT] A minuet is a fairly slow and formal dance which was popular in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

mi|nus / m'aɪnəs / (minuses) 1 [CONJ] You use minus to show that one number or quantity is being subtracted from another. One minus one is zero... They've been promised their full July salary minus the hardship payment. = less ≠ plus 2 [ADJ] ADJ amount Minus before a number or quantity means that the number or quantity is less than zero. The aircraft was subjected to temperatures of minus 65 degrees and plus 120 degrees. 3 Teachers use minus in grading work in schools and colleges. `B minus' is not as good as `B', but is a better grade than `C'. I'm giving him a B minus. ≠ plus 4 [PREP] To be minus something means not to have that thing. The film company collapsed, leaving Chris jobless and minus his life savings. = without 5 [N-COUNT] A minus is a disadvantage. (INFORMAL) The minuses far outweigh that possible gain... = drawback ≠ plus 6 [PHRASE] PHR amount You use plus or minus to give the amount by ...

mi|nus|cule / m'ɪnɪskjuːl / [ADJ] If you describe something as minuscule , you mean that it is very small. The film was shot in 17 days, a minuscule amount of time. = minute

♦♦♦ min|ute 1 / m'ɪnɪt / (minute minutes minuting minuted) NOUN AND VERB USES 1 [N-COUNT] oft num N A minute is one of the sixty parts that an hour is divided into. People often say ` a minute ' or ` minutes ' when they mean a short length of time. The pizza will then take about twenty minutes to cook... Bye Mum, see you in a minute... Within minutes we realized our mistake. 2 [N-PLURAL] oft N of n The minutes of a meeting are the written records of the things that are discussed or decided at it. He'd been reading the minutes of the last meeting. 3 [VERB] V n When someone minutes something that is discussed or decided at a meeting, they make a written record of it. You don't need to minute that. 4 see also up-to-the-minute 5 [CONVENTION] People often use expressions such as wait a minute or just a minute when they want to stop you doing or saying something. Wait a minute, folks, something is wrong here... Hey, just a mi...

mi|nute|ly / maɪnj'uːtli, AM -n'uːt- / 1 [ADV] ADV with v You use minutely to indicate that something is done in great detail. The metal is then minutely examined to ensure there are no cracks... 2 [ADV] usu ADV adj/-ed You use minutely to indicate that the size or extent of something is very small. The benefit of an x-ray far outweighs the minutely increased risk of cancer.

mi|nu|tiae / maɪnj'uːʃiiː, AM mɪn'uːʃ- / [N-PLURAL] usu the N of n The minutiae of something such as someone's job or life are the very small details of it. (FORMAL) Much of his early work is concerned with the minutiae of rural life.

mira|cle / m'ɪrək ə l / (miracles) 1 [N-COUNT] If you say that a good event is a miracle , you mean that it is very surprising and unexpected. It is a miracle no one was killed... 2 [ADJ] ADJ n A miracle drug or product does something that was thought almost impossible. (JOURNALISM) ...a miracle drug that is said to be a cure for Aids and cancer. 3 [N-COUNT] A miracle is a wonderful and surprising event that is believed to be caused by God. ...Jesus's ability to perform miracles. mira|cle work|er (miracle workers) [N-COUNT] If you describe someone as a miracle worker , you mean that they have achieved or are able to achieve success in something that other people have found very difficult. At work he was regarded as a miracle worker, the man who took risks and could not lose.

mi|racu|lous / mɪr'ækjʊləs / 1 [ADJ] If you describe a good event as miraculous , you mean that it is very surprising and unexpected. The horse made a miraculous recovery to finish a close third. ...a miraculous escape... ● miraculously [ADV] usu ADV with cl, ADV with v, also ADV adj Miraculously, the guards escaped death or serious injury... 2 [ADJ] If someone describes a wonderful event as miraculous , they believe that the event was caused by God. ...miraculous healing. ...miraculous powers.

mi|rage / m'ɪrɑːʒ / (mirages) 1 [N-COUNT] A mirage is something which you see when it is extremely hot, for example in the desert, and which appears to be quite near but is actually a long way away or does not really exist. It hovered before his eyes like the mirage of an oasis. 2 [N-COUNT] usu sing If you describe something as a mirage , you mean that it is not real or true, although it may seem to be. The girl was a mirage, cast up by his troubled mind... = illusion

mire / m'aɪ'ə r / 1 [N-SING] oft N of n You can refer to an unpleasant or difficult situation as a mire of some kind. (LITERARY) ...a mire of poverty and ignorance. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Mire is dirt or mud. (LITERARY) ...the muck and mire of sewers and farmyards.

♦ mir|ror / m'ɪrə r / (mirrors mirroring mirrored) 1 [N-COUNT] A mirror is a flat piece of glass which reflects light, so that when you look at it you can see yourself reflected in it. He absent-mindedly looked at himself in the mirror... ● mirrored [ADJ] ...a mirrored ceiling. 2 [VERB] V n If something mirrors something else, it has similar features to it, and therefore seems like a copy or representation of it. The book inevitably mirrors my own interests and experiences... = reflect 3 [VERB] V n If you see something reflected in water, you can say that the water mirrors it. (LITERARY) ...the sudden glitter where a newly-flooded field mirrors the sky... = reflect mir|ror im|age (mirror images) also mirror-image [N-COUNT] oft N of n 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. I saw in him a mirror image of my younger self... ...

mirth / m'ɜː r θ / [N-UNCOUNT] Mirth is amusement which you express by laughing. (LITERARY) That caused considerable mirth amongst pupils and sports masters alike... = hilarity

mirth|less / m'ɜː r θləs / [ADJ] usu ADJ n If someone gives a mirthless laugh or smile, it is obvious that they are not really amused. (WRITTEN)

mis|ad|ven|ture / m'ɪsədv'entʃə 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'ɪz ə nθroʊp / (misanthropes) [N-COUNT] A misanthrope is a person who does not like other people. (FORMAL)

mis|an|throp|ic / m'ɪz ə nθr'ɒpik / [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 / mɪz'ænθrəpi / [N-UNCOUNT] Misanthropy is a general dislike of people. (FORMAL)

mis|ap|pli|ca|tion / m'ɪsæplɪk'eɪʃ ə n / (misapplications) [N-VAR] usu N of n If you talk about the misapplication of something, you mean it is used for a purpose it was not intended for. He's charged with conspiracy, misapplication of funds and other crimes. ...a common misapplication of the law. = misuse

mis|ap|ply / m'ɪsəpl'aɪ / (misapplies misapplying misapplied) [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed, be V-ed If something is misapplied , it is used for a purpose for which it is not intended or not suitable. Many lines from Shakespeare's plays are misquoted and misapplied... The law had been misapplied. = misused

mis|ap|pre|hen|sion / m'ɪsæprɪh'enʃ 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... = misunderstanding

mis|ap|pro|pri|ate / m'ɪsəpr'oʊprieɪt / (misappropriates misappropriating misappropriated) [VERB] V n If someone misappropriates money which does not belong to them, they take it without permission and use it for their own purposes. I took no money for personal use and have not misappropriated any funds whatsoever... ● misappropriation [N-UNCOUNT] usu N of n He pleaded guilty to charges of misappropriation of bank funds.

mis|be|have / m'ɪsbɪh'eɪv / (misbehaves misbehaving misbehaved) [VERB] V If someone, especially a child, misbehaves , they behave in a way that is not acceptable to other people. When the children misbehaved she was unable to cope.

mis|cal|cu|late / m'ɪsk'ælkjʊleɪt / (miscalculates miscalculating miscalculated) [VERB] V n, V If you miscalculate , you make a mistake in judging a situation or in making a calculation. It's clear that he has badly miscalculated the mood of the people... The government appears to have miscalculated and bills are higher as a result. ● miscalculation [N-VAR] The coup failed because of miscalculations by the plotters...

mis|car|riage / m'ɪsk'ærɪdʒ, -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|car|riage of jus|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'ɪsk'æri, -kæri / (miscarries miscarrying miscarried) [VERB] V, also V n If a woman miscarries , she has a miscarriage. Many women who miscarry eventually have healthy babies.

mis|cast / m'ɪsk'ɑːst, -k'æst / [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'ɪsəl'eɪniəs / [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 / mɪs'eləni, AM m'ɪsəleɪni / (miscellanies) [N-COUNT] oft N of n A miscellany of things is a collection or group of many different kinds of things. (WRITTEN) ...glass cases filled with a miscellany of objects... = assortment

mis|chief / m'ɪstʃɪf / 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. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Mischief is behaviour that is intended to cause trouble for people. It can also refer to the trouble that is caused. The more sinister explanation is that he is about to make mischief in the Middle East again...

mis|chie|vous / m'ɪstʃɪvəs / 1 [ADJ] A mischievous person likes to have fun by playing harmless tricks on people or doing things they are not supposed to do. She rocks back and forth on her chair like a mischievous child... ● mischievously [ADV] usu ADV with v Kathryn winked mischievously. 2 [ADJ] A mischievous act or suggestion is intended to cause trouble. ...a mischievous campaign by the press to divide the ANC... = malicious ● mischievously [ADV] usu ADV with v That does not require `massive' military intervention, as some have mischievously claimed.

mis|con|ceived / m'ɪskəns'iːvd / [ADJ] If you describe a plan or method as misconceived , you mean it is not the right one for dealing with a particular problem or situation. The teachers say the tests for 14-year-olds are misconceived. ...Lawrence's worthy but misconceived idea. = misguided

mis|con|cep|tion / m'ɪskəns'epʃ ə n / (misconceptions) [N-COUNT] A misconception is an idea that is not correct. There are many fears and misconceptions about cancer.

mis|con|duct / m'ɪsk'ɒndʌkt / [N-UNCOUNT] Misconduct is bad or unacceptable behaviour, especially by a professional person. Dr Lee was cleared of serious professional misconduct.

mis|con|strue / m'ɪskənstr'uː / (misconstrues misconstruing misconstrued) [VERB] V n If you misconstrue something that has been said or something that happens, you interpret it wrongly. (FORMAL) An outsider might misconstrue the nature of the relationship... = misinterpret

mis|cre|ant / m'ɪskriənt / (miscreants) [N-COUNT] A miscreant is someone who has done something illegal or behaved badly. (LITERARY) Local people demanded that the District Magistrate apprehend the miscreants.

mis|deed / m'ɪsd'iːd / (misdeeds) [N-COUNT] A misdeed is a bad or evil act. (FORMAL) ...the alleged financial misdeeds of his government.

mis|di|rect / m'ɪsdɪr'ekt, -daɪr- / (misdirects misdirecting misdirected) 1 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed If resources or efforts are misdirected , they are used in the wrong way or for the wrong purposes. Many of the aid projects in the developing world have been misdirected in the past. ● misdirected [ADJ] ...a misdirected effort to mollify the bishop. 2 [VERB] V n If you misdirect someone, you send them in the wrong direction. He had deliberately misdirected the reporters.

mi|ser / m'aɪzə r / (misers) [N-COUNT] If you say that someone is a miser , you disapprove of them because they seem to hate spending money, and to spend as little as possible. I'm married to a miser. = skinflint

mis|er|able / m'ɪzərəb ə l / 1 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ If you are miserable , you are very unhappy. I took a series of badly paid secretarial jobs which made me really miserable... ● miserably [ADV] usu ADV after v He looked miserably down at his plate. 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n If you describe a place or situation as miserable , you mean that it makes you feel unhappy or depressed. There was nothing at all in this miserable place to distract him. = depressing 3 [ADJ] If you describe the weather as miserable , you mean that it makes you feel depressed, because it is raining or dull. It was a grey, wet, miserable day... 4 [ADJ] ADJ n If you describe someone as miserable , you mean that you do not like them because they are bad-tempered or unfriendly. He always was a miserable man. He never spoke to me nor anybody else. 5 [ADJ] usu a ADJ amount You can describe a quantity or quality as miserable when you think that it is much smaller or worse than it oug...

mi|ser|ly / m'aɪzə r li / 1 [ADJ] If you describe someone as miserly , you disapprove of them because they seem to hate spending money, and to spend as little as possible. He is miserly with both his time and his money. = mean 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n If you describe an amount of something as miserly , you are critical of it because it is very small. Being a student today with miserly grants and limited career prospects is difficult. = measly

mis|ery / m'ɪzəri / (miseries) 1 [N-VAR] Misery is great unhappiness. All that money brought nothing but sadness and misery and tragedy. ...the miseries of his youth. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Misery is the way of life and unpleasant living conditions of people who are very poor. A tiny, educated elite profited from the misery of their two million fellow countrymen. 3 [PHRASE] V and life inflect If someone makes your life a misery , they behave in an unpleasant way towards you over a period of time and make you very unhappy. ...the gangs of kids who make our lives a misery. 4 [PHRASE] V inflects If you put someone out of their misery , you tell them something that they are very anxious to know. (INFORMAL) Please put me out of my misery. How do you do it? 5 [PHRASE] V inflects If you put an animal out of its misery , you kill it because it is sick or injured and cannot be cured or healed. = put down

mis|fire / m'ɪsf'aɪ'ə r / (misfires misfiring misfired) 1 [VERB] V If a plan misfires , it goes wrong and does not have the results that you intend it to have. Some of their policies had misfired. 2 [VERB] V If an engine misfires , the fuel fails to start burning when it should. The boat's engine misfired after he tried to start it up. 3 [VERB] V If a gun misfires , the bullet is not sent out as it should be when the gun is fired. The gun misfired after one shot and jammed.

mis|fit / m'ɪsfɪt / (misfits) [N-COUNT] A misfit is a person who is not easily accepted by other people, often because their behaviour is very different from that of everyone else. I have been made to feel a social and psychological misfit for not wanting children.

mis|for|tune / m'ɪsf'ɔː r tʃuːn / (misfortunes) [N-VAR] A misfortune is something unpleasant or unlucky that happens to someone. She seemed to enjoy the misfortunes of others... He had his full share of misfortune.

mis|giv|ing / m'ɪsg'ɪvɪŋ / (misgivings) [N-VAR] If you have misgivings about something that is being suggested or done, you feel that it is not quite right, and are worried that it may have unwanted results. She had some misgivings about what she was about to do...

mis|guid|ed / m'ɪsg'aɪdɪd / [ADJ] If you describe an opinion or plan as misguided , you are critical of it because you think it is based on an incorrect idea. You can also describe people as misguided. In a misguided attempt to be funny, he manages only offensiveness...

mis|han|dle / m'ɪsh'ænd ə l / (mishandles mishandling mishandled) [VERB] V n If you say that someone has mishandled something, you are critical of them because you think they have dealt with it badly. The judge said the police had mishandled the siege. = mismanage ● mishandling [N-UNCOUNT] usu poss N of n ...the Government's mishandling of the economy.

mis|hap / m'ɪshæp / (mishaps) [N-VAR] A mishap is an unfortunate but not very serious event that happens to someone. After a number of mishaps she did manage to get back to Germany... The plot passed off without mishap.

mish|mash / m'ɪʃmæʃ / also mish-mash [N-SING] usu a N of n If you say that something is a mishmash , you are criticizing it because it is a confused mixture of different types of things. The letter was a mish-mash of ill-fitting proposals taken from two different reform plans. = hotch-potch, hodgepodge

mis|in|form / m'ɪsɪnf'ɔː r m / (misinforms misinforming misinformed) [VERB] be V-ed, V n If you are misinformed , you are told something that is wrong or inaccurate. He has been misinformed by members of his own party... The president defended the news blackout, accusing the media of misinforming the people.

mis|in|for|ma|tion / m'ɪs'ɪnfə r m'eɪʃ ə n / [N-UNCOUNT] Misinformation is wrong information which is given to someone, often in a deliberate attempt to make them believe something which is not true. This was a deliberate piece of misinformation.

mis|in|ter|pret / m'ɪsɪnt'ɜː r prɪt / (misinterprets misinterpreting misinterpreted) [VERB] V n If you misinterpret something, you understand it wrongly. He was amazed that he'd misinterpreted the situation so completely... = misread ● misinterpretation [N-VAR] ...a misinterpretation of the aims and ends of socialism.

mis|judge / m'ɪsdʒ'ʌdʒ / (misjudges misjudging misjudged) [VERB] V n If you say that someone has misjudged a person or situation, you mean that they have formed an incorrect idea or opinion about them, and often that they have made a wrong decision as a result of this. Perhaps I had misjudged him, and he was not so predictable after all...

mis|judg|ment / m'ɪsdʒ'ʌdʒmənt / (misjudgments) in BRIT, also use misjudgement [N-VAR] A misjudgment is an incorrect idea or opinion that is formed about someone or something, especially when a wrong decision is made as a result of this. ...a misjudgment in British foreign policy which had far-reaching consequences... Many accidents were due to pilot misjudgement.

mis|lay / m'ɪsl'eɪ / (mislays mislaying mislaid) [VERB] V n If you mislay something, you put it somewhere and then forget where you have put it. I appear to have mislaid my jumper. = misplace

mis|lead / m'ɪsl'iːd / (misleads misleading misled) [VERB] V n If you say that someone has misled you, you mean that they have made you believe something which is not true, either by telling you a lie or by giving you a wrong idea or impression. Jack was furious with his London doctors for having misled him...

mis|lead|ing / m'ɪsl'iːdɪŋ / [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf If you describe something as misleading , you mean that it gives you a wrong idea or impression. It would be misleading to say that we were friends... The article contains several misleading statements. ● misleadingly [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj The data had been presented misleadingly.

mis|led / m'ɪsl'ed / Misled is the past tense and past participle of mislead .

mis|man|age / m'ɪsm'ænɪdʒ / (mismanages mismanaging mismanaged) [VERB] V n To mismanage something means to manage it badly. 75% of voters think the President has mismanaged the economy. = mishandle

mis|man|age|ment / m'ɪsm'ænɪdʒmənt / [N-UNCOUNT] oft poss N, N of n Someone's mismanagement of a system or organization is the bad way they have dealt with it or organized it. His gross mismanagement left the company desperately in need of restructuring. = mishandling

mis|match (mismatches mismatching mismatched) The noun is pronounced / m'ɪsmætʃ / The verb is pronounced / mɪsm'ætʃ / 1 [N-COUNT] oft N between/of pl-n, N of pl-n If there is a mismatch between two or more things or people, they do not go together well or are not suitable for each other. There is a mismatch between the skills offered by people and the skills needed by industry. ...an unfortunate mismatch of styles. 2 [VERB] V pl-n To mismatch things or people means to put them together although they do not go together well or are not suitable for each other. She was deliberately mismatching articles of clothing. ● mismatched [ADJ] The two opponents are mismatched.

mis|no|mer / m'ɪsn'oʊmə r / (misnomers) [N-COUNT] usu a N in sing If you say that a word or name is a misnomer , you mean that it describes something incorrectly. Herbal `tea' is something of a misnomer because these drinks contain no tea at all.

mi|sogy|nist / mɪs'ɒdʒɪnɪst / (misogynists) 1 [N-COUNT] A misogynist is a man who dislikes women. 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n Misogynist attitudes or actions are ones that involve or show a strong dislike of women.

miso|gyn|is|tic / m'ɪsɒdʒɪn'ɪstɪk / [ADJ] Misogynistic means the same as misogynist .

mi|sogy|ny / mɪs'ɒdʒɪni / [N-UNCOUNT] Misogyny is a strong dislike of women.

mis|place / m'ɪspl'eɪs / (misplaces misplacing misplaced) [VERB] be V-ed If you misplace something, you lose it, usually only temporarily. Somehow the suitcase with my clothes was misplaced. = mislay

mis|placed / m'ɪspl'eɪst / [ADJ] If you describe a feeling or action as misplaced , you are critical of it because you think it is inappropriate, or directed towards the wrong thing or person. Lenders rely on the misplaced loyalty of existing borrowers to make their profit...

mis|print / m'ɪsprɪnt / (misprints) [N-COUNT] A misprint is a mistake in the way something is printed, for example a spelling mistake.

mis|pro|nounce / m'ɪsprən'aʊns / (mispronounces mispronouncing mispronounced) [VERB] V n If you mispronounce a word, you pronounce it wrongly. He repeatedly mispronounced words and slurred his speech.

mis|quote / m'ɪskw'oʊt / (misquotes misquoting misquoted) [VERB] be V-ed If someone is misquoted , something that they have said or written is repeated incorrectly. He claimed that he had been misquoted and he threatened to sue the magazine for libel...

mis|read / m'ɪsr'iːd / (misreads misreading) The form misread is used in the present tense, and is the past tense and past participle, when it is pronounced / m'ɪsr'ed / 1 [VERB] V n, V n If you misread a situation or someone's behaviour, you do not understand it properly. The government largely misread the mood of the electorate... Mothers may also misread signals and think the baby is crying because he is hungry. = misinterpret ● misreading [N-COUNT] ...a misreading of opinion in France. 2 [VERB] V n If you misread something that has been written or printed, you look at it and think that it says something that it does not say. His chauffeur misread his route and took a wrong turning.

mis|re|mem|ber / m'ɪsrɪm'embə r / (misremembers misremembering misremembered) [VERB] V n If you misremember something, you remember it incorrectly. (mainly AM FORMAL) He proved over-confident on the witness stand, misremembering a key piece of evidence.

mis|rep|re|sent / m'ɪsreprɪz'ent / (misrepresents misrepresenting misrepresented) [VERB] V n as adj, V n as n, V n If someone misrepresents a person or situation, they give a wrong or inaccurate account of what the person or situation is like. He said that the press had misrepresented him as arrogant and bullying... Hollywood films misrepresented us as drunks, maniacs and murderers... Keynes deliberately misrepresented the views of his opponents... ● misrepresentation [N-VAR] I wish to point out your misrepresentation of the facts...

mis|rule / m'ɪsr'uːl / [N-UNCOUNT] If you refer to someone's government of a country as misrule , you are critical of them for governing their country badly or unfairly. He was arrested last December, accused of corruption and misrule...

hit and miss also hit-and-miss [ADJ] If something is hit and miss or hit or miss , it is sometimes successful and sometimes not. Farming can be very much a hit-and-miss affair. hit or miss see hit and miss miss out 1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P If you miss out on something that would be enjoyable or useful to you, you are not involved in it or do not take part in it. We're missing out on a tremendous opportunity... Well, I'm glad you could make it. I didn't want you to miss out. = lose out 2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P If you miss out something or someone, you fail to include them. (BRIT; in AM, use leave out ) There should be an apostrophe here, and look, you've missed out the word `men' altogether!... What about Sally? You've missed her out. = leave out ♦♦ miss 2 / m'ɪs / (miss misses missing missed) VERB AND NOUN USES Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown und...

mis|shap|en / m'ɪsʃ'eɪpən / [ADJ] If you describe something as misshapen , you think that it does not have a normal or natural shape. ...misshapen vegetables... Her hands were misshapen by arthritis.

♦ mis|sile / m'ɪsaɪl, AM -s ə l / (missiles) 1 [N-COUNT] A missile is a tube-shaped weapon that travels long distances through the air and explodes when it reaches its target. The authorities offered to stop firing missiles if the rebels agreed to stop attacking civilian targets. ...nuclear missiles. 2 [N-COUNT] Anything that is thrown as a weapon can be called a missile . The football supporters began throwing missiles, one of which hit the referee. 3 see also cruise missile , guided missile cruise mis|sile (cruise missiles) [N-COUNT] A cruise missile is a missile which carries a nuclear warhead and which is guided by a computer. guid|ed mis|sile (guided missiles) [N-COUNT] A guided missile is a missile whose direction can be controlled while it is in the air.

♦ miss|ing / m'ɪsɪŋ / 1 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ If something is missing , it is not in its usual place, and you cannot find it. It was only an hour or so later that I discovered that my gun was missing... The playing cards had gone missing. 2 [ADJ] If a part of something is missing , it has been removed or has come off, and has not been replaced. Three buttons were missing from his shirt. 3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ from n If you say that something is missing , you mean that it has not been included, and you think that it should have been. She had given me an incomplete list. One name was missing from it. 4 [ADJ] Someone who is missing cannot be found, and it is not known whether they are alive or dead. Five people died in the explosion and more than one thousand were injured. One person is still missing. [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR If a member of the armed forces is missing in action , they have not returned from a battle, their body has not been f...

♦♦ mis|sion / m'ɪʃ ə n / (missions) 1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp A mission is an important task that people are given to do, especially one that involves travelling to another country. Salisbury sent him on a diplomatic mission to North America... ...the most crucial stage of his latest peace mission. 2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp A mission is a group of people who have been sent to a foreign country to carry out an official task. ...a senior member of a diplomatic mission. = delegation 3 [N-COUNT] usu supp N A mission is a special journey made by a military aeroplane or space rocket. ...a bomber that crashed during a training mission in the west Texas mountains. ...the first shuttle mission. 4 [N-SING] usu poss N, also n of N If you say that you have a mission , you mean that you have a strong commitment and sense of duty to do or achieve something. He viewed his mission in life as protecting the weak from the evil... = vocation 5 [N-COUNT] ...