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FindLaw Legal Dictionary

The FindLaw Legal Dictionary -- free access to over 8260 definitions of legal terms. Search for a definition or browse our legal glossaries.

term:

Misnomer

misnomer n

[Anglo-French mesnomer, from mesnomer to misname, from Middle French mes- wrongly + nommer to name, from Latin nominare, from nomin- nomen name]
: the misnaming of a person in a legal document or proceeding (as in a complaint or indictment)
;specif
: the institution of proceedings against and service of process on the correct party using the incorrect name compare idem sonans NOTE: Amendment of the pleadings is generally allowed in cases of misnomer.



Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

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