How Do You Spell MISSING-PERSON?

Pronunciation: [mˈɪsɪŋpˈɜːsən] (IPA)

The spelling of "missing-person" is straightforward, with each syllable pronounced clearly. The first syllable, "miss", is pronounced with a short "i" sound, as in "mist". The second syllable, "ing", is pronounced with a long "i" sound, as in "eye". The final syllable, "person", is pronounced with a short "u" sound, as in "purse". The word is often hyphenated in order to clarify that it refers specifically to a person who is missing, rather than another type of missing item.

MISSING-PERSON Meaning and Definition

  1. A missing person refers to an individual who has disappeared or cannot be located. It is a term commonly used in law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations to describe someone whose whereabouts are unknown and is presumed to be in a state of missing. The term encompasses individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including children, adults, or elderly persons, who are reported as missing by concerned family members, friends, or authorities.

    When a person is classified as missing, it implies that their location, well-being, or safety remains uncertain. This condition can occur due to various circumstances, including abductions, runaways, accidents, or even voluntary disappearances. The reasons behind a person going missing can be diverse, ranging from personal issues like mental health struggles or unhappiness, to criminal involvement or unanticipated events.

    When someone is determined to be a missing person, a comprehensive investigation is initiated to locate the individual. This process often involves law enforcement agencies, search-and-rescue teams, and specialized resources. Authorities collaborate with the public by circulating information, organizing search parties, or utilizing technological advancements to aid in the search efforts.

    The primary goal of addressing missing-person cases is to locate the individual swiftly and ensure their safety. This is achieved through increased public awareness, media coverage, and the utilization of resources to bring about their safe return or resolution to their disappearance.

Common Misspellings for MISSING-PERSON

  • misseing person
  • mising person
  • missig person
  • missin person
  • misssing person
  • missiing person
  • missingpperson
  • missing0-person
  • missingp-person
  • missingmperson
  • missing-purrson
  • missing-persewn
  • missing-persown
  • missing-persun
  • misseingperson
  • missigperson

Etymology of MISSING-PERSON

The word "missing-person" is a compound noun consisting of two components.

1. "Missing" is the present participle of the verb "miss", derived from the Old English "missan", meaning "to fail to hit or reach". Over time, its meaning expanded to include the sense of someone's absence, typically due to being lost, unaccounted for, or unable to be found.

2. "Person" comes from the Latin word "persona", which referred to a mask worn by actors to portray different characters. Eventually, "persona" started being used for an individual's legal or social identity and extended to encompass any human being.

Therefore, the etymology of "missing-person" is the combination of "miss" indicating an absence or failure to find and "person" referring to an individual. The term became commonly used to describe someone who has disappeared and is being sought or searched for.

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