mishandle

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

• IPA^(key): /mɪsˈhændəl/

mishandle (third-person singular simple present mishandles, present participle mishandling, simple past and past participle mishandled)

1. (transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.

   If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break.

2. (transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.

   The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis.

• (manipulate roughly): misuse, abuse, handle roughly, handle incorrectly
• (handle a situation incorrectly): mismanage

mishandle (countable and uncountable, plural mishandles)

1. Rough manipulation which causes physical damage.
2. Ineffective or incorrect deal.
3. Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse.

• shieldman

From Middle Low German mishandelen.

mishandle (imperative mishandl or mishandle, present tense mishandler, simple past and past participle mishandla or mishandlet)

1. to maltreat or mistreat

• mishandling

• “mishandle” in The Bokmål Dictionary.