To describe or present something in a false or misleading way, often by mistake or on purpose.
From Middle French 'misreprésenter,' combining 'mis-' (badly, wrongly) and 'represent' (to present again). Entered English in the 16th century as a legal and general term for false portrayal.
Ancient Rome had whole laws against misrepresentation in the marketplace—it's one of the oldest legal wrongs! This shows how even thousands of years ago, people knew that truth in communication was worth protecting.
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