prevaricate
[ pri-var-i-keyt ]
/ prɪˈvær ɪˌkeɪt /
verb (used without object), pre·var·i·cat·ed, pre·var·i·cat·ing.
to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.
Origin of prevaricate
1575–85; < Latin
praevāricātus, past participle of
praevāricārī to straddle something, (of an advocate) collude with an opponent's advocate, equivalent to
prae-
pre- +
vāricāre to straddle, derivative of
vārus bent outwards, bow-legged
OTHER WORDS FROM prevaricate
pre·var·i·ca·tion, noun pre·var·i·ca·tive, pre·var·i·ca·to·ry [pri-var-i-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /prɪˈvær ɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective un·pre·var·i·cat·ing, adjectiveWords nearby prevaricate
prevailing,
prevailing westerlies,
prevailing wind,
prevalence,
prevalent,
prevaricate,
prevarication,
prevaricator,
prevenient,
prevenient grace,
prevent
British Dictionary definitions for prevaricative
prevaricate
/ (prɪˈværɪˌkeɪt) /
verb
(intr)
to speak or act falsely or evasively with intent to deceive
Derived forms of prevaricate
prevarication, noun prevaricator, nounWord Origin for prevaricate
C16: from Latin
praevāricārī to walk crookedly, from
prae beyond +
vāricare to straddle the legs; compare Latin
vārus bent