mishandle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.

   I never did like your style, Perkins, especially your methods of handling--or rather mishandling--women.

From Middle English mishandlen, equivalent to mis- + handle. Cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen (“to mistreat”), German misshandeln (“to mistreat”).

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