Definition: mistaking

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

mistaking
     n : putting the wrong interpretation on; "his misinterpretation
         of the question caused his error"; "there was no
         mistaking her meaning" [syn: misinterpretation, misunderstanding]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mistake \Mis*take"\, v. t. [imp. & obs. p. p. Mistook; p. p.
   Mistaken; p. pr. & vb. n. Mistaking.] [Pref. mis- + take:
   cf. Icel. mistaka.]
   1. To take or choose wrongly. [Obs. or R.] --Shak.

   2. To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand misapprehend,
      or misconceive; as, to mistake a remark; to mistake one's
      meaning. --Locke.

            My father's purposes have been mistook. --Shak.

   3. To substitute in thought or perception; as, to mistake one
      person for another.

            A man may mistake the love of virtue for the
            practice of it.                       --Johnson.

   4. To have a wrong idea of in respect of character,
      qualities, etc.; to misjudge.

            Mistake me not so much, To think my poverty is
            treacherous.                          --Shak.
Mistaking \Mis*tak"ing\, n.
   An error; a mistake. --Shak.