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malversation

 [mal-ver-sey-shuhn]   Origin

mal·ver·sa·tion

   [mal-ver-sey-shuhn]
noun Chiefly Law.
improper or corrupt behavior in office, especially in public office.
Origin:
1540–50; < Middle French, equivalent to malvers(er) to embezzle (< Latin male versārī to behave badly, equivalent to male badly (see mal-) + versārī to behave, conduct oneself, passive (in middle sense) of versāre to turn; see versatile) + -ation -ation
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Malversation is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
malversation (ˌmælvɜːˈseɪʃən)
 
—n
rare professional or public misconduct
 
[C16: from French, from malverser to behave badly, from Latin male versārī]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

malversation
"professional or official corruption," 1549, from Fr., from malverser, from L. male versari, from male "wrongly, ill" (see mal-) + versari "to behave, conduct oneself," passive freq. of vertere, to turn (see versus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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