Missetat

German

Etymology

From Middle High German missetāt, from Old High German mistāt, missitāt (“misdeed”), from Proto-Germanic *missadēdiz < *missa- (“mis-”) + *dēdiz (“deed, act”). Compare Dutch misdaad, West Frisian misdied, English misdeed, Danish misdåd, Gothic 𐌼𐌹𐍃𐍃𐌰𐌳𐌴𐌸𐍃 (missadēþs). More at misdeed.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmɪsəˌtaːt/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Missetat f (genitive Missetat, plural Missetaten)

1. (higher register) iniquity, misdeed (evil, sinful, dishonorable deed)

   Synonyms: Frevel, Freveltat, Untat, Schandtat

   Wegen dieser Missetat sollt ihr mit ewigem Fluch belegt sein!

   For this iniquity an eternal curse shall be upon you!

   Die Liste seiner Missetaten war lang. (flippant, humorous)

   The list of his misdeeds was long.

Usage notes

• Has a very grave and moralistic tone, often (though not necessarily) religious. More lighthearted use can only be facetious.

Declension

Declension of Missetat [feminine]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	eine	die	Missetat	die	Missetaten
genitive	einer	der	Missetat	der	Missetaten
dative	einer	der	Missetat	den	Missetaten
accusative	eine	die	Missetat	die	Missetaten

Derived terms

• Missetäter

Further reading

• “Missetat” in Duden online