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Synonyms

malversation

American  
[mal-ver-sey-shuhn] / ˌmæl vərˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

Chiefly Law.
  1. improper or corrupt behavior in office, especially in public office.


malversation British  
/ ˌmælvɜːˈseɪʃən /

noun

  1. rare professional or public misconduct

"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

Etymology

Origin of malversation

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During a brief job at a large corporation, he impersonates a vice president and summarily fires those who seem unhappy in their work, He is finally caught and dismissed for "malversation of coffee break."

From Time Magazine Archive

This was shown by one of the framers of the impeachment provision, James Wilson, who said that what he had in mind was misbehavior, or what he called "malversation."

From Time Magazine Archive

The Inspector General Act was designed to protect patriotic whistle-blowers who seek to reveal malversation in government.

From Time Magazine Archive

Griffenfeldt, who was charged with simony, bribery, oath-breaking, malversation and l�se-majest�, conducted his own defence under every imaginable difficulty.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various

He, in the latter part of May, entertained no suspicion of any malversation in office on the part of the late treasurer, although he was aware that such suspicions prevailed much among the people.

From History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia by Campbell, Charles

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