'Misprision of treason' definitions:

Definition of 'Misprision of treason'

From: GCIDE
  • Misprision \Mis*pri"sion\, n. [LL. misprisio, or OF. mesprison, prop., a mistaking, but confused with OF. mespris contempt, F. m['e]pris. See 2d Misprise, Misprize, Prison.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. The act of misprising; misapprehension; misconception; mistake. [Archaic] --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
  • The misprision of this passage has aided in fostering the delusive notion. --Hare. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Neglect; undervaluing; contempt. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Law) A neglect, negligence, or contempt. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In its larger and older sense it was used to signify "every considerable misdemeanor which has not a certain name given to it in the law." --Russell. In a more modern sense it is applied exclusively to two offenses: 1.
  • Misprision of treason, which is omission to notify the authorities of an act of treason by a person cognizant thereof. --Stephen. 2.
  • Misprision of felony, which is a concealment of a felony by a person cognizant thereof. --Stephen. [1913 Webster]