noun

misfeasance

mis-FEE-zuns/mɪsˈfizəns/

Improper performance of a lawful act, especially by an official.

The official's careless stamping of the permit amounts to misfeasance.

A public official carelessly stamps a misaligned blank permit over an incorrect diagram, lawful task done badly.

Etymology

misOld Frenchwrongly

+feasOld Frenchto do

+anceFrenchaction, process

The pieces express doing something wrongly. In the legal sense, the wrong lies in how a lawful act is performed, as when an official improperly exercises legitimate authority.

In context

Anthony Marinac1:18

misfeasance occurs if the road authority knows there is a problem and does something about it but does it negligently

Hill v Commissioner for Main Roads (misfeasance)

More examples

The audit uncovers misfeasance in the handling of public funds.
A lawful inspection can involve misfeasance if the inspector performs it improperly.
The lawsuit alleges misfeasance, not a complete failure to act.

Forms

misfeasance

Similar words

negligence: Failure to use reasonable care, including failing to act.
malpractice: Improper professional conduct, especially by medical or legal practitioners.