Put in the wrong location or position. Can also describe trust, confidence, or emotions directed inappropriately.
From Middle English, combining 'mis-' (wrongly) with 'place' from Old French 'place' meaning position or spot. The figurative sense of inappropriate emotions or trust developed in the 16th century.
While we often think of misplaced objects, the word frequently describes emotions - misplaced anger, misplaced loyalty. It's fascinating how physical displacement became a metaphor for psychological misdirection.
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