peculate
to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
Origin of peculate
1Other words from peculate
- pec·u·la·tion, noun
- pec·u·la·tor, noun
- un·pec·u·lat·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use peculate in a sentence
The money went into the pockets of the Admiralty clerks and paymasters, who thrived on wholesale and shameless peculation.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries | Charles G. HarperBut it was strongly rumoured that there had been foul play, peculation, even forgery.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayShe replied that if his Highness's presents were accounted to her as peculation, she had been guilty.
A German Pompadour | Marie HayThis irregular mode of life had borne hard upon my finances, and I had not, as yet, had recourse to fraud or peculation.
The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 1/2 | Camden PelhamHe was left by Mr. Hastings as his representative of peculation, his representative of tyranny.
British Dictionary definitions for peculate
/ (ˈpɛkjʊˌleɪt) /
to appropriate or embezzle (public money)
Origin of peculate
1Derived forms of peculate
- peculation, noun
- peculator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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