Miscreant Meaning and Definition
Miscreant
Pronunciation
/mɪˈskruː.ənt/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A person who behaves badly or disobediently, especially in a way that is considered shocking or outrageous.
Examples
- The police arrested the miscreant for stealing from the store.
- She was dismissed from her job as a miscreant on the school field trip.
Synonyms
- Delinquent
- Rogue
- Culprit
Antonyms
- Law-abider
- Model citizen
Etymology
The word “miscreant” comes from the Latin “miscere”, meaning “to mix” and “credere”, meaning “to believe”, and originally referred to someone who mixed or confused correct belief with false ideas.
Usage Notes
The word “miscreant” is typically used to describe someone who has committed a serious wrongdoing, and is often used in formal or official contexts, such as legal or academic writing.
Cultural References
The word “miscreant” has been used in various works of literature, including Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night” and Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Caught red-handed” and “behind bars” are idiomatic expressions that use the concept of being a miscreant.
Related Words or Phrases
Words related to “miscreant” include “offender”, “transgressor”, and “malefactor”. Phrases related to “miscreant” include “on the wrong side of the law” and “wanted by the authorities”.
Collocations
Miscreant is often collocated with words like “criminal”, “felon”, and “reprobate”.
Frequency of Use
The word “miscreant” is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is regularly used in formal or official contexts, such as legal documents and academic writing.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “miscreant” include “mistaken” and “misery”.