'misapprehension' originates from the Latin word 'apprehendere,' where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'prehendere' meant 'seize or grasp.' The prefix 'mis-' indicates a wrong or incorrect action.

'apprehendere' transformed into the Old French word 'apprehender,' and eventually became the modern English word 'apprehend.' The prefix 'mis-' was added to form 'misapprehend,' leading to the noun 'misapprehension.'

Initially, it meant 'to seize or grasp incorrectly,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'misunderstanding.'