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, adjective

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, noun

Word Origin for prevaricate

C16: from Latin praevāricārī to walk crookedly, from prae beyond + vāricare to straddle the legs; compare Latin vārus bent