palter

American  

[pawl-ter] / ˈpɔl tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully; lie or use trickery.

2. to bargain with; haggle.

3. to act carelessly; trifle.

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palter British  

/ ˈpɔːltə /

verb

1. to act or talk insincerely

2. to haggle

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Other Word Forms

• palterer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of palter

1530–40 in sense “to speak indistinctly,” perhaps alteration of falter in same sense, with p- from palsy ¹

Explanation

To palter is to beat around the bush by speaking or writing in an unclear way. People palter to confuse others. Palter is an unusual word for a common thing: speaking or writing in a way that bamboozles others. Politicians are paltering experts: they palter when they leave out important information or use euphemisms to confuse voters. Paltering can be vague, distracting, or misleading. People palter when they have something to hide or just don't want to discuss. Paltering isn't outright lying, but it's close. The opposite of paltering is being straightforward, clear, and honest.

Example Sentences

"They wanted to hear my perspective on the company. And they wanted to bend my ear with their own thoughts," said Palter, co-founder of EdgeStone Capital Partners in Toronto.

From Reuters • Nov. 8, 2015

The ladies wrapped their pretty shoulders in furs, danced in Palter DeLiso slippers, got their divorces in Paris.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Palter not with me, Sir Scot—it were ill for thy safety," said the irritable monarch.

From The Talisman by Scott, Walter, Sir

Palter no question of the dim Beyond; Cut loose the bark; such voyage itself is rest; Majestic motion, unimpeded scope, A widening heaven, a current without care.

From The Golden Treasury of American Songs and Lyrics by Knowles, Frederic Lawrence

Palter, pawl′tėr, v.i. to trifle in talk: to use trickery: to dodge: to shuffle: to equivocate.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various