Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MIS-TAK-EN, pp.

In the use of this participle, there is a peculiarity which ought to be carefully noticed. When used of persons, it signifies to be in an error, to be wrong; as, I am mistaken, you are mistaken, he is mistaken. But when use of things, it signifies misunderstood, misconceived; as, the sense of the passage is mistaken, that is, not rightly understood.