peculate

[pek-yuh-leyt]

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verb (used with or without object), pec·u·lat·ed, pec·u·lat·ing.

to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

Origin of peculate

1740–50; v. use of peculate embezzlement (now obsolete) < Latin pecūlātus, equivalent to pecūlā(rī) to embezzle, literally, to make public property private + -tus suffix of v. action. See peculiar, -ate¹

Related formspec·u·la·tion, nounpec·u·la·tor, nounun·pec·u·lat·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for peculate

embezzle, steal

Examples from the Web for peculate

Historical Examples of peculate

No man ever paid a bribe for the handling of the public money, but to peculate from it.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. X. (of 12)
Edmund Burke

British Dictionary definitions for peculate

peculate

verb

to appropriate or embezzle (public money)

Derived Formspeculation, nounpeculator, noun

Word Origin for peculate

C18: from Latin pecūlārī, from pecūlium private property (originally, cattle); see peculiar

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 peculate

1749, from Latin peculatus, past participle of peculari "to embezzle," from peculum "private property," originally "cattle" (see peculiar). Related: Peculated; peculating; peculator.