malversation

[ mal-ver-sey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for malversation on Thesaurus.com
nounChiefly Law.
  1. improper or corrupt behavior in office, especially in public office.

Origin of malversation

1
1540–50; <Middle French, equivalent to malvers(er) to embezzle (<Latin male versārī to behave badly, equivalent to male badly (see mal-) + versārī to behave, conduct oneself, passive (in middle sense) of versāre to turn; see versatile) + -ation-ation

Words Nearby malversation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use malversation in a sentence

  • Tories and malecontent Whigs, elated by the hope that Montague might be convicted of malversation, eagerly called for inquiry.

  • We think it a marvellous act of malversation in a trustee, to benefit himself unjustly out of the funds entrusted to his care.

    The Claims of Labour | Arthur Helps
  • Another example of British malversation in China, and a further instance of persecution of the Ti-pings!

  • To the crime of being Potts the wretched Colonel had now added malversation of a trust fund.

    The Boss of Little Arcady | Harry Leon Wilson
  • By the latter device, are we not assured against malversation of the funds?

British Dictionary definitions for malversation

malversation

/ (ˌmælvɜːˈseɪʃən) /


noun
  1. rare professional or public misconduct

Origin of malversation

1
C16: from French, from malverser to behave badly, from Latin male versārī

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