Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “misconduct” come from?

Misconduct comes from Middle English mis- plus Latin conductus, from Latin duco meaning "to lead" combined with Latin cum meaning "with."

misconduct (English): behavior that is considered to be unacceptable;...

Definitions

  1. behavior that is considered to be unacceptable;...

Ancestry of “misconduct”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishconductThe act or method of controlling or directing;...
2Late Latinconductusdefense, escort
3Latinconductusassembled, collected; contraction
4Latincondūcō—
5Latindūcō—
6Proto-Italicdoukōlead
7Proto-Indo-Europeandéwketi—
8Proto-Indo-Europeandewk-to pull, to draw; to lead
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dewk- →