peculate

[ pek-yuh-leyt ]
/ ˈpɛk yəˌleɪt /
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verb (used with or without object), pec·u·lat·ed, pec·u·lat·ing.

to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

Origin of peculate

1740–50; v. use of peculate embezzlement (now obsolete) < Latin pecūlātus, equivalent to pecūlā(rī) to embezzle, literally, to make public property private + -tus suffix of v. action. See 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

pectous, pectus, pectus carinatum, pectus excavatum, pectus recurvatum, peculate, peculiar, peculiar institution, peculiar people, peculiarity, peculiarize

Words related to peculate

embezzle, steal

Example sentences from the Web for peculate

British Dictionary definitions for peculate

peculate
/ (ˈpɛkjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

to appropriate or embezzle (public money)

Derived forms of peculate

peculation, noun peculator, noun

Word Origin for peculate

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