Mis*pri"sion (?), n. [LL. misprisio, or OF. mesprison, prop., a mistaking, but confused with OF. mespris contempt, F. mépris. See 2d Misprise, Misprize, Prison.]

1. The act of misprising; misapprehension; misconception; mistake. [Archaic] Fuller.

The misprision of this passage has aided in fostering the delusive notion.

2. Neglect; undervaluing; contempt. [Obs.] Shak.

3. (Law) A neglect, negligence, or contempt.

&fist; 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.