The improper or unlawful performance of a lawful act; doing something legal in an illegal or improper way. It specifically refers to wrongful conduct by a public official in the performance of their duties.
From Old French mesfaisance, combining mes- (wrongly) + faisance (doing), literally meaning 'wrongdoing.' In legal terminology, it developed to specifically describe the improper performance of an otherwise legal act, particularly by those in positions of authority.
Think MIS-FEASE-ANCE (wrong doing). It's not about doing illegal things (that's malfeasance), but doing legal things in the wrong way. Imagine a police officer who has the legal right to arrest someone but uses excessive force - that's misfeasance. They're doing their legal job, but doing it improperly.
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