Word of the Day

Thursday, February 22, 2001

malversation

\mal-vur-SAY-shun\ , noun;

Misconduct, corruption, or extortion in public office.

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Quotes:

The Inspector General Act was designed to protect patriotic whistle-blowers who seek to reveal malversation in government.

-- Arthur Schlesinger Jr., "How History Will Judge Him", Time, February 22, 1999

Aniano Desierto, the government ombudsman, said that the preliminary investigation would take 60 days and involve six charges: plunder, malversation (misuse of funds), violations of the anti-graft law, perjury, bribery and possession of unexplained wealth.

-- "Estrada faces plunder inquiry", Times (London), January 22, 2001

Origin:

Malversation comes, via French, from Latin male, "badly" + versari, "to be engaged in, to take part in."