misrepresentation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act or an instance of giving a false, inaccurate, or misleading account of someone or something

   The article's description of her research was a serious misrepresentation of its conclusions.

2. 2
   noun

   a false statement of material fact that induces someone to enter a contract; law

   The buyer sued for misrepresentation after discovering that the stated mileage was false.

Formed from misrepresent + -ation: literally, the act or result of representing wrongly. Represent came through French from Latin repraesentare, 'to make present, display, portray'; the prefix mis- marks an erroneous or deceptive portrayal.

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