peculate

[ pek-yuh-leyt ]
See synonyms for: peculatepeculation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object),pec·u·lat·ed, pec·u·lat·ing.
  1. to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

Origin of peculate

1
First recorded in 1740–50; verb use of peculate “embezzlement” (now obsolete), from Latin past participle and noun pecūlātus “embezzled; embezzlement,” equivalent to pecūlā(rī) ) “to embezzle,” literally, “to make public property private” + -tus suffix of verbal action, derivative of pecu “wealth, livestock, movable property”; see origin at peculiar, -ate1

Other words from peculate

  • pec·u·la·tion, noun
  • pec·u·la·tor, noun
  • un·pec·u·lat·ing, adjective

Words Nearby peculate

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How to use peculate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peculate

peculate

/ (ˈpɛkjʊˌleɪt) /


verb
  1. to appropriate or embezzle (public money)

Origin of peculate

1
C18: from Latin pecūlārī, from pecūlium private property (originally, cattle); see peculiar

Derived forms of peculate

  • peculation, noun
  • peculator, noun

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