Misstep
/ˈmɪsˌstɛp/noun
A mistaken step or a mistake in action or judgment.
Did you know?Unlike words with occult roots, *misstep* is a plain Germanic compound, but its power comes from the ancient idea that a wrong step could mean real danger on a road, battlefield, or ritual path.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steigh-
“to step, stride, or walk”
Old English
OE
stīgan
“to climb, rise, or step”
Old English
OE
missan
“to miss, fail to hit, or go astray”
Middle English
ME
missteppe(n)
“to take a wrong step or make a mistake”
Modern English
English
misstep
“a mistaken step or an error in judgment”