peculate

(pek′yo̵̅o̅ lāt′, -yə-)

transitive verb, intransitive verb peculated, peculating

to steal or misuse (money or property entrusted to one's care, esp. public funds); embezzle

Origin: < L peculatus, pp. of peculari, to embezzle < peculium, private property < pecus, cattle: for IE base see fee

Related Forms:

See peculate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

tr. & intr.v. pec·u·lat·ed, pec·u·lat·ing, pec·u·lates

To embezzle (funds) or engage in embezzlement.

Origin:

Origin: Latin pecūlārī, pecūlāt-

Origin: , from pecūlium, private property; see peku- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

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