prevarication

[pri-var-i-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of prevaricating, or lying.

   Seeing the expression on his mother's face, Nathan realized this was no time for prevarication.

2. a false or deliberate misstatement; lie.

   Her many prevarications had apparently paid off; she was free to go.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevarication¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle French, from Latin praevāricātiō-, stem of praevāricātiō “collusion,” equivalent to praevāricāt(us), past participle of praevāricārī “to collude something, (of an advocate) collude with an opponent's advocate” + -iō -ion ( def. ); prevaricate ( def. )

Related Words

• dishonesty 
• equivocation 
• falsehood