err
v.v. to make a mistake or do something wrong. It is a very formal word that you might see in books or hear in serious speeches.
v. to make a mistake in judgment or action; to violate a moral or social standard. Often used in the context of legal or ethical decision-making.
It is better to err on the side of caution.
The judge noted that the lower court did not err in its interpretation of the new law.
While the committee sought to be perfectly fair, they knew that to err is human and prepared a robust appeals process for any disputed decisions.
From Middle English erren, from Old French errer (“to wander, err, mistake”), from Latin errō (“wander, stray, err, mistake”, verb), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ers- (“to be angry, lose one's temper”). Cognate with Old English eorre, ierre (“anger, wrath, ire”), Old English iersian (“to be angry with, rage, irritate, provoke”), Old English ierre (“wandering, gone astray, confused”).
The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object; frequently appears in the idiomatic phrase 'to err on the side of'.