[ noun ]
putting the wrong interpretation on
<noun.communication>
his misinterpretation of the question caused his errorthere was no mistaking her meaning

Mistake \Mis*take"\ (m[i^]s*t[=a]k"), v. t. [imp. & obs. p. p.
{Mistook} (m[i^]s*t[oo^]k"); p. p. {Mistaken}
(m[i^]s*t[=a]k"'n); 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.