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peculation

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pec⋅u⋅late

  [pek-yuh-leyt]
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–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
Origin:
1740–50; v. use of peculate embezzlement (now obs.) < L pecūlātus, equiv. to pecūlā(rī) to embezzle, lit., to make public property private + -tus suffix of v. action. See peculiar, -ate 1

Related forms:
pec⋅u⋅la⋅tion, noun
pec⋅u⋅la⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pec·u·late   (pěk'yə-lāt')   
tr. & intr.v.   pec·u·lat·ed, pec·u·lat·ing, pec·u·lates
To embezzle (funds) or engage in embezzlement.

[Latin pecūlārī, pecūlāt-, from pecūlium, private property; see peku- in Indo-European roots.]
pec'u·la'tion n., pec'u·la'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

peculate  (v.)
1749, from L. peculatus, pp. of peculari "to embezzle," from peculum "private property" (see peculiar).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pec·u·la·tion
Pronunciation: "pe-ky&-'lA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin peculation- peculatio, from Latin peculari to embezzle, from peculium private property, from pecu cattle
: misappropriation esp. of public funds
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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