Forms: α. 1–5, 6– Sc. and north. dial. wrang (6, 9 vrang, 9 north. dial. wrank), 4–5 wrange. β. 3– wrong (3 wronk, 5 rong), 3–6 wronge; 9 north. dial. wrung, wrunk. [Late OE. wrang, a. ON. *wrangr, rangr awry, unjust (Norw. vrang, rang, MSw. vranger (Sw. vrång), (M)Da. vrang), = MLG. wrange, wrangh sour, bitter, MDu. wrangh, wranc bitter, unpleasant, hostile (Du. wrang acid, tart; whence WFris. wrang); related to WRING v.
The adoption of the word in the OE. period is shown by its use as a sb. (see WRONG sb.2), but examples of the adj. are lacking, unless on wrangan hylle in a Berkshire document of 944, preserved only in a 13th-century copy (Birch, Cartul., II. 557), is accepted as original, and as representing this word. Early ME. instances may occur in the following place-names:—
a. 1153. in Coucher Bk. Kirkstall Abbey (1904), 52. Confirmo donacionem terre quam eis fecerunt Rogerus de Wrangebroc et Henricus Walensis.
1167–8. Pipe Rolls Hen. II., 56. Pro murdro in Wrongedichhundred [in Rutland].
1198. Pipe Rolls Rich. I., 23. Terra in eadem uilla [in Suffolk] s. ad Wrangaker i acr’. et i rodam.]
A. adj. I. † 1. a. Having a crooked or curved course, form or direction; twisted or bent in shape or contour; wry.
c. 1200. Ormin, 9207. All þatt ohht iss wrang & crumb Shall effnedd beon & rihhtedd. Ibid., 9653.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 78. His [sc. the eagle’s] bec is ȝet biforn wrong.
[a. 1252. in Cartul. Mon. Ramescia (Rolls), I. 353. Fulbrocfurlange; Wrongelande; Wylokescroft.]
1388. Wyclif, Lev. xxi. 19. A man … [that] is ether or litil, ether of greet, and wrong [L. tortus] nose.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 19656. The crookydnesse … off my crok, Wrong at the ende, as ys an hook.
a. 1470. H. Parker, Dives & Pauper, VIII. xv. (1493), F ii. The bowe is made of ii. thynges, Of a wronge tree, and a right strynge.
a. 1500. Hist. K. Boccus & Sydracke (? 1510), P j. A cocatryce … hath … many teth crokyd and wronge.
1611. Cotgr., Gauche, left, left-handed;… wrong, sinister, awry.
1613. in North Riding Records, IV. 143. Thone acre a brode wrangland, stinting att the strete, lying between six narrow wranglandes, towards the north, and one narrow wrangland … towardes the south.
fig. 1340. Ayenb., 159. Yef þe onderstondingge is wrong, oþer yef he tuysteþ oþer wyþwent…, al þe inwyt ssel by þiestre and þe hieap of uirtues.
† b. Marked by deviation; deflected. Obs.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 197/1. Glacynge, or wronge glydynge of boltys or arowys,… devolatus.
† c. Of an oblong shape. Obs.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 517/1. Warpyn, or wex wronge or avelonge, as vesselle, oblongo. Ibid., 534/1. Wronge, or avelonge…, oblongus.
2. Of persons: Mis-shapen; deformed. Latterly dial.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, III. xxx. (1869), 152. Boistows j am, and haltinge, and wronge. To the virly j go hippinge.
1787. Grose, Prov. Gloss., Wrong, crooked. A wrong man or woman. Norf.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Wrong,… deformed; mishapen in person.
II. 3. Or actions, etc.: Deviating from equity, justice or goodness; not morally right or equitable; unjust, perverse. Also absol.
α. a. 1300. Cursor M., 16498. I sal me-seluen on me wreck For þis marchandis wrang.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., C. 384. Wepande ful wonderly alle his wrange dedes.
c. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 5994. Alle wrang haldyngs of gudes sere.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (Verse), 2248. For wit þai wele þat þai sal cum To reknyng on þe day of dome … Als sche sal for hir warkes wrang.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., 421 (Douce MS.). Þou has wonene hem in werre, with a wrange wille.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, ix. 11. The wrang spending of my wittis fyve.
1786. Har’st Rig, cix. The beding time does now begin…. Now, tho’ they’re a’ together mixt, There’s naething wrang.
1822. Scott, Nigel, ii. I hope there was naething wrang in standing up for ane’s ain country’s credit.
β. a. 1275. Prov. Ælfred, B. 596. Þe woke ginne þu coueren, þe wronke ginne þu rihten mid alle þine mihten.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 4582. Alle þe werre & þis wo is our wronge dedes.
1382. Wyclif, Lev. xix. 13. Thow shalt not doo wronge chalenge to thi neiȝbore.
c. 1425. Cursor M., 22276 (Trin.). Anticrist … shal him shewe in þo d[a]yes … his werkes wronge to fulfille.
c. 1440. York Myst., xxxv. 26. So þat oure wirkyng be noght wronge.
1535. Coverdale, Hab. i. 4. This is the cause, yt wronge iudgment procedeth.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 102. So often times, when as good is meant, Euil ensueth of wrong entent.
1620. T. Peyton, Glasse of Time, I. 50.
| That none by wrong oppression might | |
| Be crost, by cunning, wringing, wrestling [printed wresting] guile. |
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvi. 144. A wrong Sentence given by authority of the Soveraign.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, Auth. Apol. ¶ 13. One of the wrongest attempts in nature to turn into ridicule … a work which had cost so much time.
1728. Vanbrugh & Cib., Prov. Husb., III. When a sad wrong word is rising just to one’s tongue’s end, I …swallow it.
1763. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 211. If the finger rest against the trigger of a loaded musket, and a man stand just before, you cannot do a wronger thing.
1853. Miss Yonge, Heir of Redclyffe, ix. She did not awaken her mind to consider that anything could be wrong that Philip desired.
1861. Mill, Utilit. (1863), 9. [That] creed holds that actions are wrong … [in proportion] as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.
1878. Jevons, Pol. Econ., 65. There is nothing … morally wrong in a strike … when properly conducted.
b. In the phrase it is (would be, etc.) wrong to (do some thing).
1596. Spenser, Hymn Heav. Love, 180. Had he required life of vs againe, Had it beene wrong to aske his owne with gaine?
1781. Cowper, Conversat., 291. ’Tis wrong to bring into a mixt resort What makes some sick.
1857. Borrow, Romany Rye, xlii. I confess it was wrong in me to interrupt you.
1879. McCarthy, Donna Q., I. iv. 87. It was very wrong of him to make such a request.
1881. W. H. Mallock, Romance 19th Cent., II. 93. It would be indeed wrong … to say he was making love at all.
4. Of persons: Deviating from integrity, rectitude or probity; doing or prone to do that which is evil, noxious or unjust; opprobrious, vicious.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 29. Þe wrang to here o right is lath. Ibid. (13[?]), 2204 (Gött.). Þis nembrot … was wrang werour, Reuer and manqueller grett.
1382. Wyclif, Isaiah iii. 12. My puple his pleteres, or wrong axers [L. exactores], spoileden.
a. 1470. H. Parker, Dives & Pauper, VIII. xv. (1493), F ii. OF them yt ben wronge throughe synne. Ibid., F ii b. So Crist at the doome shal sett the wrong lyuers on his left honde.
1715. De Foe, Fam. Instruct., I. iv. (1841), I. 78. For I think … we have all been wrong, and … it is my part to submit.
1784. Cowper, Tiroc., 780. Th’ incorrigibly wrong, the deaf, the dead!
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ser. III. Truants, 58. Queer little devils were they! Cob was the strongest, Mob was the wrongest.
1896. B. L. Farjeon, Betrayal J. Fordham, iv. 299. It don’t make black white, ’cause I’m a wrong ’un.
b. Actively opposed († to another); antagonistic.
1340. Ayenb., 204. Ssarpnesse of liue to do his uless onderuot þet is wrang to þe goste.
1780. Cowper, Rep. Adjudged Case, 2. Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose,—The spectacles set them unhappily wrong.
5. Not in conformity with some standard, rule or principle; deviating from that which is correct or proper; contrary to, at variance with, what one approves or regards as right.
a. 1310. in Wright, Lyric P., viii. 31. Y-wis hit is al wrong. Al wrong y wrohte for a wyf, that made us wo in world ful wyde.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 67. Whi wolde God … suffre such a worm In such a wrong wyse þe wommon to bi-gyle?
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 169. Of here wrong condicion To do justificacion.
c. 1459. in Plumpton Corr. (Camden), p. xxxix. Her hosband cometh … and seyeth the feyrest langwage that ever ye hard. But all is rong; he is ever in trouble.
1550. Crowley, Epigrams, 916. Ye must saye as they saye, Be it wrounge or ryght.
1591. Spenser, Daphn., 243. She fell away in her first ages spring;… For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong.
1676. Hale, Medit. Lord’s Pr., 183. When I look into my Conscience, I find her easily bribed, and brought over to the wrong party.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., IV. xxi. § 16. The foundation of vice in wrong measures of good.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 338. But most by Numbers judge a Poet’s song; And smooth or rough, with them is right or wrong.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., II. § 19. Revenues that in ignorant times were applied to a wrong use.
1753–4. Richardson, Grandison (1781), III. xxviii. 333. Permitting the interview, which they suppose the wrongest step that could have been taken.
b. Not in consonance with facts or truth; incorrect, false, mistaken.
c. 1420. Prose Life Alex., 34. And ȝe haffand in vs a wrange consayte, blamez vs.
1528. More, Dyaloge, III. Wks. 210/1. Our hart euer thinketh the iudgement wrong, that wringeth us to the worse.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., II. i. 54. If any heere By false intelligence, or wrong surmize Hold me a Foe.
1611. Bible, Deut. xix. 16. If a false witnes … testifie against him that which is wrong.
1670. in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 475. I do not use to be found in a wrong story.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., II. xi. § 13. Mad Men put wrong Ideas together, and so make wrong Propositions. Ibid., § 69. Fashion and the common Opinion having settled wrong Notions.
1728. Chambers, Cycl. (1751), s.v. Errour, Some philosophers define error [as] … a wrong judgment, disagreeing with the things whereon it is passed.
1730. Bailey (fol.), Misacceptation, a wrong understanding or apprehending of any thing.
1865. Williams, Mem. M. Henry, 304. A wrong date is assigned to the delivery of this Sermon.
1871. Le Fanu, Rose & Key, II. 27. She consulted her watch, which, for a lady’s timepiece, was a very fair one, being seldom more than twenty minutes wrong, either way.
1884. trans. Lotze’s Logic, 370. An allegation … if wrong … deviates more or less from the truth.
1891. C. Roberts, Adrift Amer., 111. There is something wrong in this, deer do not stand up … to be shot down that way.
c. Of belief, etc.: Partaking of or based on error; erroneous.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (Prose), 42. Þat þai ne falle in wrang trouȝ.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. iii. 31. Marry, for that shee’s in a wrong beleefe, I goe to certifie her Talbot’s here.
1656. Cowley, On Death of Crashaw, 56. His Faith perhaps in some nice Tenents might Be wrong; his Life … was in the right.
1733. Pope, Ess. Man, III. 306. For Modes of Faith let graceless zealots fight; His can’t be wrong whose life is in the right.
1755. Johnson, Misbelief,… false religion; a wrong belief.
6. Not right or satisfactory in state or order; in unsatisfactory or bad condition; amiss.
What’s wrong with (mod. colloq.), what is the matter with (see MATTER sb.1 25 b), what objection is there to, why not have (etc.)?
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 58. Also flowyng emoroydez somtyme ar hidde…, þat of som þai ar demed to be dissenterikez and yuelz wrong.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 80. What aylithe you? y trow there be sum thinge wronge with you.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., iii. 188. If any thyng wrang be, Soyne is she wroth.
1567. Satir. Poems Reform., vi. 131. In thy default se that na thing be wrang.
a. 1568. Wyfe of Auchtermuchty, 103 (Bann. MS.). Scho fand all wrang that sowld bene richt.
1781. Cowper, Expost., 301. Policy is busied all night long In setting right what faction has set wrong.
1793. [Earl Dundonald], Descr. Estare of Culross, 56. We shall never get right till we get as far wrong as we can.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, xv. ‘Something wrong here,’… said the traveller, pointing to his own forehead significantly.
1835–. [see PUT v. 25 b].
1857. Dickens, Dorrit, II. ix. You see,… it might put us wrong with our son-in-law.
1860. A. Leighton, Trad. Sc. Life, 52. Nothing wrong with Mrs. Græme, I hope?
1925. R. A. Knox, Viaduct Murder, ix. 99. I want to know what’s wrong with a game of bridge?
b. Turf. Of a horse: Held in check so as to cause him to lose the race.
1889. Sporting Times, 29 June (Farmer). Isabel and Maudie knew the Turf and all its arts—They had often blewed a dollar on a wrong ’un.
c. (See quot.)
1895. Brewer, Dict. Phrase & Fable, 1315. A Wrong ’un, a horse which has run at any flat-race meeting not recognised by the Jockey Club.
7. Not adapted, according or answering to intention, requirement or purpose; not proper, fitting or appropriate; unsuitable. † Also const. to.
a. 1400. Bk. Curtasye, 99, in Babees Bk., 302. Yf hit go þy wrang throte into, And stoppe þy wynde.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., XII. 109. Kitte of euery roten thyng or drie, For grene yf that me kitte of, that is wronge.
1514. Barclay, Cit. & Uplondyshman (Percy Soc.), 11. Than was no cocko … To laye wronge egges within a straunge nest!
1549. Compl. Scotl., x. 83. The iueis interpret it to the vrang sens.
1550, 1560. [see WREST v. 5 b].
1598. Shaks., Merry W., III. i. 110. I haue directed you to wrong places.
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., II. i. He … claps his dish at the wrong mans dore.
1673. Essex Papers (Camden), I. 63. Of which if he thinks to make me ye first example he will find he has fixed upon a wrong man.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 126. They brought me to the wrong side of a pretty Square Tank, or Well.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Misrepresent, not to represent fairly, to give a wrong or false Character of.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Misplace, to put in a wrong Place.
1736. [see WRONGNESS 2].
a. 1778. Toplady, Anecd., Wks. 1794, IV. 152. To put your hand into the wrong pocket.
1793. W. Roberts, Looker-on, No. 38 (1794), II. 60. This was the wrongest time that could be chosen.
1821. Lamb, Elia, I. Mrs. Battle. An adversary, who has slipt a wrong [playing] card.
1836–7. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Scenes, xvii. Shoving the old and helpless, into the wrong buss.
1871. Geo. Eliot, Middlemarch, xl. The fatal step of choosing the wrong profession.
1884. E. Yates, Recoll., II. 67. Never did a man so persistently … do the wrong thing in the wrong place.
b. In various allusive phrases: (see quots. and BARK v.1 2, BOX sb.2 21, SHOP sb. 8 b, SOW sb.1 3).
1554. Ridley, in Foxe, A. & M. (1563), 931/1. If you wil heare how Saint Augustine expoundeth that place, ye shal perceaue that ye are in a wronge boxe.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr., II. ix. (1867), 75. Ye tooke … the wrong sow by theare.
1616. Withals’ Dict., 584. Vlulas Athenas, you bring your Corne to a wrong market.
1639. J. Clarke, Parœm., 7. You bring your hogs to a wrong market.
1761. Brit. Mag., II. 440. You’d have sworn he had got the wrong pig by the ear.
1833. Jas. Hall, Leg. West, 46. You are barking up the wrong tree, Johnson.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Tales, xii. Does he want … money? meat? drink? He’s come to the wrong shop for that, if he does.
1877. ‘Saxon’ (Mrs. Trotter), Gallow. Gossip, 190. Ye’ve got the wrang soo by the lug this time.
1897. Daily News, 4 March 6/1. The now well-quoted phrase of Lord Salisbury’s, ‘we put all our money upon the wrong horse.’
1907. N. & Q., 19 Jan., 46/2. ‘You will find yourself in the wrong shop!’ is a vague threat.
c. The wrong end, the end, extremity or limit less adapted, suitable or proper for a required or particular purpose. Occas. fig. Also quasi-adv. (quot. 1897).
1587. Underdowne, trans. Heliodorus, VI. (1895), 165. Calasiris carried Cariclias quiver…, the wrong ende downeward on his shoulders.
1602. 2nd Pt. Return Parnass., III. iii. 1323. My master … then turning … the wrong end of the booke vpward.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., III. xi. 24. They … begin at the wrong end, learning Words first.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, clxxv. 147. Till a Vain Repentance Minds us of it at the Wrong End on’t.
1737. [see GO v. 1 c].
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, VI. iii. ¶ 5. This was setting up the trade of a steward, but beginning at the wrong end.
1836. [Hooton], Bilberry Thurland, III. 252. He looked prodigiously cruel, having, as our country folks term it, got out of bed the wrong end first.
1878. [see END sb. 24].
1886. Kington Oliphant, New English, I. 491. We talk of the wrong end of the stick.
1890–. [see STICK sb.1 14 e].
1897. Kipling, Captains Courageous, 125. Patent rockets that went off wrong-end-first.
1902. S. E. White, Blazed Trail, xxxii. Daly knew men. He was at the wrong end of the whip.
d. Typog. Not of the proper size, character or face. Freq. in wrong fount (abbrev. w.f.); also attrib.
1771. Luckombe, Hist. Printing, 444. Letters that … are of a wrong Fount.
1808. Stower, Printer’s Gram., 216. Plate, The Exemplification of Typographical Marks…. Stet. Ital. … w.f.
1896. Moxon’s Mech. Exerc., Printing, p. xviii. Wrong-font characters, broken space-lines, and bent rules.
e. Not of requisite social standing.
1859. Lever, D. Dunn, xxxii. She is ‘tres grande dame,’… and never knows wrong people,… such as are to be met with in society; not by claim of birth and standing, but because they are very rich, or very clever, in some way or other.
8. Of a way, course, etc.: Leading in, having a trend or aspect to, a direction other than one intends, desires or expects.
To go the wrong way, of food, etc.: see WAY sb.1 4 e.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 527/2. Wylgate, or wronge gate, deviacio.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 765. Some brekyng downe the walles to bring in the next way, and some yet drew to them that holpe to carye a wrong way.
1572. Gascoigne, Hearbes, Wks. 1907, I. 349. He much mistooke and shot the wronger way.
1601. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 158. The Russe Emperor … leading foorth his armie to incounter him marched a wrong way.
1632. Holland, Cyrupædia, 94. They chaunced upon a wrong by-lane.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina, xxi. That he had himself ordered the man to go a wrong way.
1787. ‘G. Gambado,’ Acad. Horsem., 39. Only take care to point his head the wrong way.
1833. Redding, Shipwrecks, I. 71. They were steering a wrong course.
1835. Macaulay, Mackintosh, Ess. (1897), 324. Were their faces set in the right or in the wrong direction?
1856. Sara T. L. Robinson, Kansas (ed. 3), 40. We could see her house plainly from ours, but took the wrong road when nearly there.
1883. Stevenson, Treas. Isl., xxxii. This here crew is on a wrong tack, I do believe.
b. fig. and in fig. context.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. 1818. Þoruȝ myst of errour falsely to forveye By pathis wrong from þe riȝte weye.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 18. Takynge the wronge waye, they liue here a whyle in worldly pleasure.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr., II. ix. (1867), 75. Ye may see, ye tooke The wrong way to wood.
a. 1613. Overbury, Countrey Newes, Wks. (1890), 174. That the allegory of justice drawne blind, is turned the wrong way.
1698. Collier, Short View, 210. I observe the Moral is vitious: It points the wrong way.
1781. Cowper, Truth, 17. Grace leads the right way: if you choose the wrong, Take it, and perish.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, VII. i. ¶ 6. I …muttered blessings on them the wrong way, and swore outright.
1856. Olmsted, Mech. Heavens, 133. Because all the inquirers into Nature were upon a wrong road, groping their way through the labyrinth of error.
1901. Scotsman, 8 March, 6/5. The bill … seemed to proceed upon the wrong tack.
9. The (or a) wrong way, the way or method least conducive to a desired end or purpose; the (or an) incorrect manner.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxvi. 546. Rohars … sayd, ‘Sire,… here is my gage.’ ‘Rohars,’ sayd Charlemagne, ‘here ye take a wronge waye.’
1639. J. Clarke, Parœm., 8. You go the wrong way to worke.
1651. in Verney Mem. (1907), I. 518. Hee tooke the wrong way to right himself.
1727. [see GO v. 4].
1884. Times (weekly ed.), 31 Oct., 14/3. They went the wrong way to work to gain the ear of the House.
b. (The) wrong way († wrong-way, Sc. wrang-gates), in adverbial use, = in a contrary or opposite direction or position to the proper or usual one.
1693. Congreve, Old Bach., IV. viii. You wou’d have taken ’em for Friezland Hens, with their Feathers growing the wrong way.
1697. Lond. Gaz., No. 3325/4. The S stands the wrong way.
1700. T. Brown, Amusem. Ser. & Com., 157. A Band, or a Cravat put the wrong way.
1733. Tull, Horse-Hoeing Husb., xxiii. 360. Being wrong-way upwards, the Seed is apt to arch in them.
1750. Blanckley, Nav. Expos., 103. Marking-Yarn,… is white Yarn spun the wrong Way.
1806. R. Jamieson, Pop. Ballads, I. 210. Syne wrang-gaites round the kirk gaed he.
1840. Hood, Kilmansegg, Dream, xiv. At night … He lies like a hedgehog rolled up the wrong way, Tormenting himself with his prickles.
1862–. [see RUN v.1 3 a, 13 e].
1886. Besant, Childr. Gibeon, II. ix. All three [had] got out of bed the wrong way that morning.
10. Wrong side († wrong-side, wrongside).
Cf. Da. vrangside, Norw. rangsida.
a. That side of some thing, a fabric, etc., which lies or is normally turned inward, downward or away from one; the side opposite to the usual, or principal; the lower or under, the back or reverse, of two surfaces.
1511–2. Act 3 Hen. VIII., c. 6 § 1. The Walker … shall not rowe … Clothe … on the right side nor of the wrong side.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 137. He hath turnd his typpet twyse…: Fyrst on the wronge syde and last on the right.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 635/2. The manner of theyr womens riding on the wrong side of theyr horse, I meane with theyr faces towardes the right side.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., III. i. 14. How quickely the wrong side [of a glove] may be turn’d outward.
1631. Heywood, 1st Pt. Fair Maid of West, IV. i. 42. The three sheep-skins with the wrong side outward.
1715. Lond. Gaz., No. 5353/12. A jet black Mare,… a thick Mane lying on the wrong side.
1771. Mrs. Haywood, New Present, 98. Slit the leg of lamb down on the wrong-side.
1838. Dickens, O. Twist, xxi. Keeping on the wrong side of the road.
1890. L. C. d’Oyle, Notches, 92. He jumped hastily on to his pony (from the wrong side, after the Indian fashion).
fig. and in fig. context. 1553. Ascham, Germany, Wks. (1904), 147. Homer…: whose saying in Greeke is excellent, but beyng turned in the wrong side into English, it shall lesse delight you.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. ii. 9. Of Glosters Treachery … When I inform’d him, then he call’d me Sot, And told me I had turn’d the wrong side out.
1637. Rutherford, Lett. to J. Meine, 7 Sept. Christ’s … winds turn not when he seemeth to change, it is but we who turn our wrong side to him.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., III. 438. Till frowning skys began to change their chear, And time turn’d up the wrong side of the year.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., I. x. In looking at the fair tapestry of human Life,… he dwells … chiefly on the reverse; and indeed turns out the rough seams, tatters, and manifold thrums of that unsightly wrong-side, with … indifference.
b. In the advb. phr. (the) wrong side out († outwards), before. In later use freq. without article.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, III. i. 68. So turnes she euery man the wrong side out. Ibid. (1604), Oth., II. iii. 54. My sicke Foole Rodorigo, Whom Loue hath turn’d almost the wrong side out.
1663. South, Serm. (1717), V. 100. He will find, that if ever another Turn befals the Nation, it will be the Wrongside outwards, the Lowest Uppermost.
1859. H. Kingsley, G. Hamlyn, xxxiv. His hat was on wrong-side before.
1883. ‘Mark Twain,’ Life on Mississippi, liv. 481. We all struggled frantically into our clothes,… getting them wrong-side-out and upside-down, as a rule.
1888. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Bootle’s Childr., ix. Trying hard to twist into its proper place a finger of the glove which would go on wrong side out.
c. Phrases: To laugh on the wrong side of one’s mouth (see LAUGH v. 1 b); on the wrong side of the blanket Sc. (see BLANKET sb. 3).
1714. Lucas, Gamesters, 65. But tho’ he laugh’d, ’t was on the wrong side of his Mouth.
1771, etc. [see BLANKET sb. 3].
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, I. vii. § 1. I … began to laugh and sing, though it was sometimes on the wrong side of my mouth.
1820. Scott, Monast., xxxvii. Shafton…, men say, was a-kin to the Piercie on the wrong side of the blanket.
1837. Carlyle, Diamond Necklace, iii. By and by thou wilt laugh on the wrong side of thy face mainly.
1889. [see LAUGH v. 1 b].
d. The side, party or principle of which one disapproves.
1649. [see RIGHT a. 10 b].
1784. Cowper, Tiroc., 740. Because forsooth thy courage has been tried And stood the test perhaps on the wrong side.
1857. W. Collins, Dead Secret, III. i. He could argue on the wrong side of any question with an acuteness [etc.].
e. On the wrong side of, older than (a specified age); upwards of. (Cf. SHADY a. 2 b.)
a. 1663. Killigrew, Parson’s Wedd., V. ii. (1664), 140. She is smitten in years o’th wrong side of forty.
1692. L’Estrange, Fables, cccl. 306. An Old Man on the Wrong-side of Fourscore.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 282, ¶ 3. They had … passed their Prime, and got on the wrongside of Thirty.
1773. Mme. D’Arblay, Early Diary (1889), I. 220. He is on the wrong side of an elderly man, but seems to have good health.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, III. xx. Am I … to look like a methodist parson on the wrong side of forty!
1895. Pall Mall Mag., Nov., 394. A good-looking woman, a little on the wrong side of thirty, perhaps.
f. The disadvantageous, undesirable or unsafe side of some place, object, etc.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 521. We were on the wrong side of the Straits of Malacca.
1728. Vanbrugh & Cib., Prov. Husb., IV. i. He … takes me … into the lobby [to vote];… but … I was got o’ the wrong side the post.
1791–. [see POST sb.1 8 i].
1791. ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem. (1809), vi. 91. [The horse] has got an awkward trick … of leaving the other two on the wrong side of the fence.
1814. Scott, Wav., x. His grandsire was from the wrong side of the Border.
1893. Mary Cholmondeley, Diana Tempest, I. i. 10. The poor meagre home in a dingy street; the wrong side of Oxford Street.
fig. 1728. Vanbrugh & Cib., Prov. Husb., I. 10. We are got a little on the wrong side of the Question.
1783. Cowper, Ode to Apollo, 2. Patron of all those luckless brains, That, to the wrong side leaning, Indite much metre.
1861. A. Leighton, Storied Trad. Sc. Life, Ser. II. 65. That he would not speak to his wife on this the wrong side of eternity.
1865. Swinburne, Chastelard, I. ii. 38. For love, I think of that as dead men of good days Ere the wrong side of death was theirs.
g. To get up or out of bed (on) the wrong side, with allusion to the supposed disturbing effect on one’s temper. (Cf. RIGHT a. 20 c.) colloq.
1801. Marvellous Love-Story, I. 167. You have got up on the wrong side, this morning, George.
1867. H. Kingsley, Silcote of Silcotes, xi. Miss had got out of bed the wrong side.
1887. [see GET v. 65 a].
11. Of persons, etc.: a. Judging, believing or acting contrary to the facts of the case; incorrect in judgment, assertion or action; mistaken, in error.
1693. Locke, Educ., Wks. 1714, III. 35. His Practice must by no means cross his Precepts, unless he intend to set him wrong.
1735. Pope, Prol. to Sat., 158. Did some more sober Critic come abroad; If wrong, I smil’d; if right, I kiss’d the rod.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1768), III. 270. And I own I am wrong.
1797. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T. (1799), I. 93. Though my head was wrong, my heart was right.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), v. Concl., If I am wrong in this.
1836. Lytton, Duchess de La Vallière, III. iii. I was not wrong to feel remorse, But wrong to give it utterance!
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 37. I should be very wrong not to obey you.
b. Not normal or sound in the senses, etc.; not sane.
1765. Sir J. Porter in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 381. Any suspicion that he was wrong in his senses.
1835. D. Webster, Orig. Sc. Rhymes, 13 (E.D.D.). This maid that was wrang in the mind.
1881. D. Thomson, Musings, 44. Lasses will laugh at yer havers, An’ think ye are wrang in the head.
III. † 12. That has no legal right, title or claim; not legitimate; unlawful; = WRONGFUL a. 3 b. Obs.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 2026. Ȝyf a womman yn hordam do swyche outrage Þat a wrong eyre bere herytage.
c. 1420. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 682. There were … Wrong vsurpers, with gret extorcioners.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 23. In the quhilk tyme the traytrous Romayns maid thre wrang papis.
1460. Capgrave, Chron. (Rolls), 225. Herry the wrong Kyng of Spayn.
a. 1586. Maitland, in M. Folio MS. (S.T.S.), 428. Fray god degressouris and vrang possessouris, repent sall ȝe.
† b. Wrong-heir, the hermit-crab. Obs.
1730. S. Dale, Taylor’s Hist. Harwich & Dovercourt, 436. The Wrong-Heire or Bernard the Hermit.
1854. Mayne, Expos. Lex., 155. The hermit crab … takes up its abode in univalve shells which it finds empty; hence has been named Wrong heir.
13. Marked or characterized by illegality; not legally valid.
1480. Coventry Leet Bk., 459. Þe chirchewardens kepen hit still be wronge possession and sett hit to ferme yerely.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. i. 159. Be thy Title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vowes to fight in thy defence.
† b. Obtained unjustly; held unlawfully. Obs.
1563. Homilies, II. Rogation Week, 524. God neuer suffereth the thirde heyre to enioye his fathers wrong possessions.
† 14. False; fictitious; unreal. Obs. rare–1.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 706. For soþe, ich am a mad man now, wel ich may knowe, Forto wene in þis wise þis wrong metyng soþe.
† 15. Belonging to, situated on, the left side. Obs. rare.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 1480. Wrothely one the wrange hande sir Gawayne he strykkes.
1533. Bellenden, Livy (S.T.S.), I. 38. Becaus the Rivere of tyber severit þame fra þe romane landis on þare richt handis, þai turnit þame on þare wrang handis.
IV. Comb. 16. Parasynthetic, as wrong-ended (see 7 c; hence wrong-endedness), wrong-hearted (hence wrong-heartedness), -heired, -jawed, -minded, -principled.
a. 1400. Octavian (Camb. MS.), 107. Moche sorowe deryth mee, That Rome schalle wrong-heyred [v.r. wrange-ayerde] bee In vnkynde honde.
1552. Huloet, s.v., Wronge iawed, or hauinge the neither longer then the vpper iaw, bronchus.
1805. James, Milit. Dict. (ed. 2), s.v., The inhabitants of England and Ireland are seldom wrong-hearted.
1835. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), III. 275. Evidences of the wrong-endedness of a property-qualification, with which the British people are unhappily familiar.
a. 1849. H. Coleridge, Ess. (1851), II. 88. His judgment of books is not so much superficial … as it is wrong-principled.
1883. Imp. Dict., IV. 669. Wrongminded, having a mind wrongly inclined; entertaining erroneous or distorted views.
1885. H. W. Grady, in Century Mag., XXIX. 910/2. Wrong-headedness may be as fatal now as wrong-heartedness.
B. adv. 1. In a direction differing from the right or true one; by an erroneous course or way; astray.
13[?]. Cursor M., 5760 (Gött.). Mi folk of ysrael es in wa; þai haue ben led wrang alsua.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 15720. He sailed al day, & on þe nyght, Vmwhile boþe wrong & ryught, Til he com in-til an ilde.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Reeve’s T., 332. By God, thoughte he, al wrang I haue mysgon.
1572. Gascoigne, Gascoigne’s Woodmanship, 31. He winked wrong, and so let slippe the [bow-]string, which cast him wide.
1614. Sylvester, Parl. Vertues Royall, 706. A fair Ship … wants … A skilfull Pilot,… That never wry shee sail, nor wrong shee row.
1715. Lond. Gaz., No. 5295/11. Lost or carried wrong…, several Parcels of Goods.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., I. ii. Lock-a-daisy, my masters, you’re come a deadly deal wrong!
1824. Mactaggart, Gallov. Encycl. (1876), 293. We may wander even on kend grun; so I may run myself wrong in Gallowa, a land I weel ken.
1869. W. S. Gilbert, ‘Bab’ Ballads, Peter the Wag, 15. He loved to send old ladies wrong, And teach their feet to stray.
1875. Miss Bird, Hawaiian Archip., 403. Our guide took us a little wrong once…. ‘Wrong’ on Mauna Loa means being arrested by an impassable a-a stream.
fig. 1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 80. Thus lafte þey [sc. the young eagles] þe leder þat hem wrong ladde.
1729. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 167. How liable we are to be led wrong by passion and private interest.
1755. Man, xxxvii. 4. When the powers of the soul are wrong directed.
1786. Burns, Prayer in Prospect of Death, iii. List’ning to their [sc. passions’] witching voice Has often led me wrong.
1859. Ruskin, Two Paths, App. i. (1891), 251. Tintoret … may lead you wrong if you don’t understand him.
† b. In an oblique or deflected line or position; obliquely, askew. Obs.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., IV. 312. Sette hit [sc. a bough] in the delf so lenyng wronge [L. oblique].
c. 1440. York Myst., xxxv. 182. We twoo schall see tille aythir side, For ellis þis werke wille wrie all wrang.
a. 1500[?]. Chester Pl., xvi. 547. This Caytyfe I have cast, shall be wronge wrast, or I wend away.
2. To go wrong. a. To take a wrong way, road or course; to go astray. Also in fig. context; and fig., to make a mistake; to fall into error; to err.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 15448. A taken þan i sal youu giue, þat yee sal noght ga wrang. Ibid. (13[?]), 25681 (Gött.). All þat singes þis sang … þu lede þaim right þar þai ga wrang.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 193. Na wonder es, yf þai ga wrang, For in myrknes of unknawyng þai gang.
c. 1400. 26 Pol. Poems, 120. Whenne he wolde noȝt folwe hym [sc. the angel],… Out of the waye he wente wronge.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 202. Goo wronge, devio, deliro.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, VI. Prol. 8. To follow Virgile in this dirk poese, Convey me, Sibill, that I ga nocht wrang.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 71 b. Whan this sterre was hyd … they went wronge to theyr great peryll.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. i. 74. Aga[memnon]. We go wrong, we go wrong. Aiax. No yonder ’tis.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 427. The Learn’d … So much … scorn the crowd, that if the throng By chance go right, they purposely go wrong.
1712. J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 1. It being easy to go wrong where no-body has beaten the Way.
1793. R. Gray, Poems, 10. There’s mony a ane … That far frae gude’s way hath gane wrang.
1849. Tait’s Mag., XVI. 188/1. We went wrong in making any active intervention.
1873. H. Spencer, Stud. Sociol., xiv. 337. There are more ways of going wrong than of going right.
b. To deviate or depart from moral rectitude or integrity; to take to evil courses; also (b) to fall from virtue.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, v. 33. Sanct Petir hat hir with a club,… becaus the wif ȝeid wrang.
1535. Coverdale, Ecclus. iv. 19. But yf he go wronge, she shall forsake him.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Err., 556. Thus men go wrong…; Bend the straight rule to their own crooked will.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, lviii. That when ladies had bad homes and mothers, they went wrong in their way too.
1888. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Phantom Future, viii. I tried … to show you that I was not quite a blackguard. But it was useless; I went wrong again.
(b) 1837. Lytton, E. Maltrav., 21. She had a vague idea about girls going wrong.
1888. McCarthy & Praed, Ladies’ Gallery, III. viii. 169. A home … for poor girls who had gone wrong.
c. Of events, etc.: To happen amiss or unfortunately; to issue or result unsuccessfully or unprosperously.
1592. Arden of Feversham, II. ii. Should you deceiue vs, twould go wrong with you.
1595. Shaks., John, I. i. 41. Your strong possession much more then your right, Or else it must go wrong with you and me.
1711. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 9 Oct. This day has gone all wrong, by sitting up so late last night.
1820. W. Irving, Sketch-Bk., Rip van Winkle. Everything about it went wrong, and would go wrong, in spite of him.
1857. Borrow, Romany Rye, xlii. Everything seemed to go wrong with me—horses became sick [etc.].
1885. G. R. Sims, in Pall Mall Gaz., 7 April, 19/2. A thick slime of what looks like toffee gone wrong.
1891. E. Kinglake, Australian at Home, 114. A pal or two … ready to help a chap if things go wrong.
d. Of things: To get out of gear or working order; to fail to work, run, etc., by reason of friction, trouble or break-down. Of a clock or watch: To fail to keep correct time.
1809. W. Irving, Knickerb., V. i. While others [sc. clocks] may keep going continually, and continually be going wrong.
1861. Dickens, Gt. Expect., v. We have had an accident with these [handcuffs], and I find the lock of one of ’em goes wrong.
1871. Lytton, Coming Race, xxii. That watch … has never gone wrong since I had it.
1885. Law Reports 10 P.D. 100. The machinery had gone wrong.
1898. Tit-Bits, 29 Jan., 342/2. The water supply has gone wrong.
e. Of persons: To fail in some undertaking or enterprise, or in the general conduct of life.
1819. W. Tennant, Papistry Storm’d (1827), 203. Seein’ Papists’ side gae wrang, Out at the Chanc’llor’s-door he flang.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xvii. He was a very kind old man…. I’m really sorry he’s gone wrong.
f. Of food, etc.: To get into bad or unsound condition; to become unwholesome.
1882. Imp. Dict., II. 403. To go wrong, to become unsound, as meat, fruit.
3. Not in accordance with good morals or a just standard of actions; in a manner contrary to equity or uprightness; unjustly, unfairly; = WRONGFULLY adv. 1, WRONGLY adv. 2.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1362. Heo may do bi myne songe, hweþer heo wile wel þe wronge.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 12180. Þys erymyte … beheld … whyche come with gode deuocyoun, And whyche for ouþer enchesoun: Alle sagh þys ermyte euerydeyl, Who come wrong, and who come weyl.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 1176. Þer-for þe wronger he wirches, al þe world may know.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (Verse), 1608. Wyne þat es myghty & strang Mase witty men forto wirk wrang.
c. 1430. Chev. Assigne, 170. Hit is þorowe þe werke of god or þey [sc. gold chains] be wronge wonnen.
15[?]. in Dunbar’s Poems (S.T.S.), 322. The regeand tirrant … is exilit and his ofspring The land of Juda, that josit wrang.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., III. vi. 80. We perceiu’d both how you were wrong led, And we in negligent danger.
1728. Pope, Dunc., IV. 188. The Right Divine of Kings to govern wrong.
1801. Farmer’s Mag., April, 191. They [tithes] were gifted away to others (right or wrong, I do not presume to enquire).
1848. Dickens, Dombey, lxi. I do conjure my relative … to set right … whatever she has done wrong,… because it is wrong, and not right.
1865. Grote, Plato, I. vii. 299. We ought not … to act wrong or unjustly.
4. Out of accordance or consistence with facts or the truth of the case; mistakenly, erroneously; incorrectly; = WRONGFULLY adv. 2 b.
c. 1200. Ormin, 10020. Swillke sinndenn alle þa Þatt spellen wrang & leȝhenn. Ibid., 18312. Acc þatt niss nohht; ȝe wenenn wrang Off me.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 13906. Qua will þe sla? qui sais þou wrang?
13[?]. Gosp. Nicodemus, 110. Me think in thoght Þe bedell wrang ȝe blame.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 4118. Ȝif i wrong seie any word, wo worþ me euer.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet (Prose), 14. Ofte speke þai wrang.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, IX. 780. To Fyfe he past, to wesy that cuntre, Bot wrang warnyt off Inglismen was he.
1548. Turner, Names Herbes (E.D.S.), 13. Anethum is wronge englished, of some anise.
1593. G. Fletcher, Licia, B 3 b. Wrong they doe esteeme She hath no heat.
1681. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 1355. You took my meaning wrong.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., IV. xvi. § 11. A thousand odd Reasons … may make one Man quote another Man’s Words or Meaning wrong.
1703. N. Rowe, Ulysses, IV. i. Whoe’er Brought you the Message … Mistook the Queen, and has inform’d you wrong.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac., III. 204. Thus at last a Mind … sees its Hindrances and Obstructions, and finds they are wholly from it-self, and from Opinions wrong-conceiv’d.
1791. Cowper, Judgm. Poets, 19. To poets … The nymphs referr’d the cause, Who … all judg’d it wrong.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, V. 278. I take her for the flower of womankind, And so I often told her, right or wrong.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, lxiii. In spite of her care and assiduity she guessed wrong.
1864. Latto, Tam. Bodkin, xxiii. Ye maun hae been wrang informed.
5. Not in the right or proper way; in an improper or unfitting manner; improperly, unduly, amiss.
c. 1200. Ormin, 10030. Whatt teȝȝ don þe læwedd follc O Drihhtin wrang to trowwenn, & wrang to ledenn þeȝȝre lif, & Drihhtin wrang to þeowwtenn.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 196. He wot insyht in euche songe, huo singeþ wel huo singeþ wronge.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 12480. Quen þat þai wrang wit iesu delt.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 2487. Our gude dedys er ofte done wrang.
c. 1400. 26 Pol. Poems, 107. My wittes on nyȝtes wrong y ware.
c. 1440. York Myst., xxxvii. 264. Here workis þou all wrang.
1504. Cornishe, in Skelton’s Wks. (1568), z v b. If he [sc. the harper] play wrong.
1531. Tindale, Expos. 1st Ep. John, Prol. (1538), 7 b. Because we be wronge taught.
c. 1620. A. Hume, Brit. Tongue (1865), 11. The south … pronunces eu, we ou, both, in my simple judgement, wrang.
1755. Man, xlv. 5. Methods … extremely wrong calculated for promoting the real perfection … of individuals.
1787. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 332. They will amend it whenever they find it works wrong.
1828. Life Planter Jamaica, 96. The estate was wrong managed.
1881. Miss Braddon, Asphodel, I. x. 298. I asked him to come on with me…. I hope I did not do very wrong.
1897. O. Wister, Lin M‘Lean, 164. Every guest’s uneasiness lest he drink his coffee wrong.
b. Out of proper order or due place.
1573. Baret, Alv., s.v., To put on his shoes Wrong, inducere calceos alicui præpostere.
1732. Pope, Ess. Man, I. 50. All the question … Is only this, if God has plac’d him wrong?
c. Clumsily; inelegantly; badly. rare–1.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Misfashioned, shapen wrong or illy.
6. Comb. a. With pa. pples., as wrong-directed, † -feigned, -grounded, -ordered, -screwed, -timed.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 371. A dull, or careless, or *wrong-directed application.
1513. Bradshaw, St. Werburge, II. 1852. Subtell policy and *wrong-feyned euidens.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 80. *Wrong-grounded piety and obstinacy.
a. 1586. Sidney’s Arcadia, Wks. 1922, II. 214. To heare The poore-clad truth of loves *wrong-ordred lot.
1849. Cupples, Green Hand, xiii. (1856), 122. As if one saw through a *wrong-screwed glass.
1740. Richardson, Pamela, II. 111. Don’t let a little *wrong-timed Bashfulness take place.
b. With strong pa. pples., as † wrong-take(n; † wrong-gotten a., unjustly obtained; ill-gotten.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27867. Til wrang takin [þ]yng [v.rr. wrang(e) þing] be quite again.
1388. Wyclif’s Sel. Wks., III. 472. if he … make restituccione of wronge-goten godis.
c. 1400. 26 Pol. Poems, 97. He þat ful is fylde Wiþ wrong take pore mennys thrift.
c. 1425. in Anglia, VIII. 156/10. Summe men … þat hadde mykel spendid … of wrange-goten goodes.
c. 1440. Alph. Tales, 202. It was all of robbery & of wrong-getten gudis.
c. With vbl. sbs. and pres. pples., as wrong-believing, -going, -thinking, -voting; also † wrong-wresting, = turning aside.
a. 1560. Phaër, Æneid, IX. Cc iv. The winds vpcaught that stroke, and Iuno Queene the daunger brake Wrong wresting as it went.
1652. H. Bell, Luther’s Colloq., iv. 90. Superstitions and wrong-believings.
1850. J. Brown, Disc. our Lord, I. 367. Our short-comings and wrong-goings.
1857. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., I. xlvi. 184. Depriving wrong-voting officers of their commissions.
1877. Huxley, Techn. Educ., Sci. & Cult. (1881), 66. Clear and consecutive wrong-thinking is the next best thing to right-thinking.
