Search Result for "misprision": 

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

MISPRISION, crim. law. 1. In its larger sense, this word is used to signify every considerable misdemeanor, which has not a certain name given to it in the law; and it is said that a misprision is contained in every treason or felony whatever. 2. In its narrower sense it is the concealment of a crime. 2. Misprision of treason, is the concealment of treason, by being merely passive; Act of Congress of April 30, 1790, 1 Story's L. U. S. 83; 1 East, P. C. 139; for if any assistance be given, to the traitor, it makes the party a principal, as there is no accessories in treason. 3. Misprision of felony, is the like concealment of felony, without giving any degree of maintenance to the felon; Act of Congress of April 30, 1790, s. 6, 1 Story's L. U. S. 84; for if any aid be given him, the party becomes an accessory after the fact. 4. It is the duty of every good citizen, knowing of a treason or felony having been committed; to inform a magistrate. Silently to observe the commission of a felony, without using any endeavors to apprehend the offender, is a misprision. 1 Russ. on Cr. 43; Hawk. P. C. c. 59, s. 6; Id. Book 1, c. s. 1; 4 Bl. Com. 119. 5. Misprisions which are merely positive, are denominated contempts or high misdemeanors; as, for example, dissuading a witness from giving evidence. 4 Bl. Com. 126.