'mischaracterize' originates from the prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and the word 'characterize' from Greek 'kharaktēr' meaning 'engraved mark, symbol, or imprint on the soul'.

'characterize' evolved from the Greek word 'kharaktēr' through Latin 'character' and Old French 'caractere', eventually becoming the modern English word 'characterize'.

Initially, 'characterize' meant 'to engrave or mark', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to describe the distinctive nature or features of'.