malversation

[mal-ver-sey-shuh n]

See more synonyms for malversation on Thesaurus.com

noun Chiefly Law.

improper or corrupt behavior in office, especially in public office.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for malversation

malfeasance, misbehavior, impropriety, immorality, wrongdoing, misdemeanor, dereliction, malpractice, mischief, offense, transgression, mismanagement, naughtiness, evil, rudeness, delinquency, malversation

Examples from the Web for malversation

Historical Examples of malversation

He replied, Why, you see, they tell me he is suspected of malversation.
Memoirs of the Empress Catherine II.
Catherine II, Empress of Russia
There was malversation in the admiralties and in the military administration.
History of Holland
George Edmundson
The latter had kept him in power in spite of numerous accusations of malversation and extravagance.
A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times
Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot
They must be as few as possible, done gradually, and bottomed on some malversation or inherent disqualification.
Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
In these, therefore, no removals took place but for malversation.
Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson

British Dictionary definitions for malversation

malversation

noun

rare professional or public misconduct

Word Origin for malversation

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

Word Origin and History for malversation

"professional or official corruption," 1540s, from French malversation, from malverser, from Latin male versari, from male "wrongly, ill" (see mal-) + versari "to behave, conduct oneself," passive frequentative of vertere "to turn" (see versus).