misgeteld

Misgeteld is a Dutch adjective meaning counted incorrectly or miscounted. It is used to describe numbers, tallies, or data that have been recorded inaccurately, commonly in statistical, accounting, electoral, or survey contexts. The term indicates that the error occurred during counting, rather than in other aspects of measurement or data collection. In practice, misgetelde figures are often followed by notes about corrections, recounts, or audits.

Etymology and form: The word is formed from the prefix mis- meaning wrong or erroneous, together with geteld, the past participle of tel (to count). As an adjective, misgeteld may appear in various inflected forms, such as misgetelde cijfers, depending on grammatical gender and number.

Usage and context: Misgeteld appears primarily in formal or technical Dutch writing, including reports, audits, journalism, and statistical analyses. It is typically used when a tally initially reported is later found to be inaccurate, prompting corrections or a recount. For example, a report might note that “de telling bleek misgeteld te zijn” (the tally was found to be miscounted). The term helps distinguish counting errors from issues in data collection or measurement.

Related terms: Related concepts include misrekening (miscalculation), foutmarge (margin of error), en correctie, hertelling (recount). The term is part of a family of descriptors used to manage and communicate counting errors in quantitative reporting.