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prevaricate
[ pri-var-i-keyt ]
/ prɪˈvær ɪˌkeɪt /
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verb (used without object), pre·var·i·cat·ed, pre·var·i·cat·ing.
to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.
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Origin of prevaricate
1575–85; <Latin praevāricātus, past participle of praevāricārī to straddle something, (of an advocate) collude with an opponent's advocate, equivalent to prae-pre- + vāricāre to straddle, derivative of vārus bent outwards, bow-legged
OTHER WORDS FROM prevaricate
pre·var·i·ca·tion, nounpre·var·i·ca·tive, pre·var·i·ca·to·ry [pri-var-i-kuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /prɪˈvær ɪ kəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveun·pre·var·i·cat·ing, adjectiveWords nearby prevaricate
prevailing wind, prevail on, Préval, prevalence, prevalent, prevaricate, prevarication, prevaricator, prévenance, prevenient, prevenient grace
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use prevaricate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prevaricate
prevaricate
/ (prɪˈværɪˌkeɪt) /
verb
(intr) to speak or act falsely or evasively with intent to deceive
Derived forms of prevaricate
prevarication, nounprevaricator, nounWord Origin for prevaricate
C16: from Latin praevāricārī to walk crookedly, from prae beyond + vāricare to straddle the legs; compare Latin vārus bent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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