err

Everyday

1. (formal) To make a mistake or be wrong: «To err is human». tree →
2. (formal, old, church) To do wrong; to sin: «We have erred and strayed like lost sheep». tree →
3. «err on the side of» — to choose the safer of two choices: «err on the side of caution». tree →

In the lessons

A formal and old word. Common sayings: «To err is human, to forgive divine» (it is natural to make mistakes; forgiving is God-like). In church: some old prayers say «we have erred and strayed». In safety: «err on the side of caution» = choose the safer option. Phrases: «to err is human», «err on the side of caution», «erring child».

Examples

• To err is human, to forgive divine. tree →
• If you're unsure whether the ice is safe, err on the side of caution and stay off. tree →
• The judge erred in his decision. tree →
• In the old prayer we say, "We have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep." tree →
• The erring pupil said sorry. tree →
• It is better to err on the side of kindness. tree →

Note

Regular verb: erred, erring. Pronounced «ur» (rhymes with «fur»), sometimes «air». Related nouns: «error», «erratum». Do not confuse with the hesitation sound «er» or «erm».

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means to sin by mistake, without meaning to. In Job and the Psalms it also means to go wrong or stray from God's commandments.

Interpretation. The law provides a sin-offering for unintentional sins, and the tradition says even sins done by accident need to be set right. In the Psalms the tradition reads the speaker as learning through suffering to follow God's word.

Examples

• And when ye shall err, and not observe all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses, (Torah NUM.15.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if the whole congregation of Israel shall err, the thing being hid from the eyes of the assembly, and do any of the things which the LORD hath commanded not to be done, and are guilty: (Torah LEV.4.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself. (Writings JOB.19.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Before I was afflicted, I did err; but now I observe Thy word. (Writings PSA.119.67, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that do err from Thy commandments. (Writings PSA.119.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: erred, erring. Pronounced «ur» (rhymes with «fur»), sometimes «air». Related nouns: «error», «erratum». Do not confuse with the hesitation sound «er» or «erm».