in law, a misnaming, or mistaking a person's name. The Christian name of a person should always be perfect, but the law is not so strict and particular in regard to surnames, a small mistake in which will be dispensed with to make good a contract, and support the act of the party.

MISPRISION signifies, in general, some neglect or oversight; as where a person is privy to a treason or felony committed by another, and neglects to reveal it to the king or his council, or to a magistrate; but entirely conceals it: this is called misprision of those crimes. In cases of misprision of treason, the offender is to be imprisoned for life, and to forfeit his goods and chattels, together with the profits of his lands, &c. but in misprision of felony, the offender is only to be punished with fine and imprisonment, and to remain in prison till the fine is paid.