palter

(pôltər)

intransitive verb

  1. to talk or act insincerely; prevaricate
  2. to deal with facts, decisions, etc. lightly or carelessly; trifle
  3. to quibble, as in bargaining

Origin: freq. formation < dial. palt, rag, piece of cloth (< a LowG source): orig. ? with reference to haggling over cloth prices

Related Forms:

See palter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb pal·tered, pal·ter·ing, pal·ters
  1. To talk or act insincerely or misleadingly; equivocate. See Synonyms at lie2.
  2. To be capricious; trifle.
  3. To quibble, especially in bargaining.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

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Related Forms:

  • palˈter·er noun

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