prevaricate
[pri-var-i-keyt]
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.
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
Synonyms for prevaricate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for prevaricate
cavil, shuffle, invent, misrepresent, lie, equivocate, fib, falsify, garble, dodge, tergiversate, distort, palter, hedge, exaggerate, fabricate, shift, evade, belie, quibbleExamples from the Web for prevaricate
Contemporary Examples of prevaricate
Historical Examples of prevaricate
He does not shuffle or prevaricate, dodge or skulk; but is honest, upright, and straightforward.
Self-HelpSamuel Smiles
Do you say this to irritate and offend me, or do you prevaricate out of shame?
A Day's RideCharles James Lever
It is so hard for him to prevaricate: and it is bitter as death to tell the truth, now.
A War-Time WooingCharles King
Florio was vain enough to prevaricate on a matter of this nature.
Shakespeare's Lost Years in London, 1586-1592Arthur Acheson
He told the truth, just as some boys quibble and prevaricate, simply and naturally.
The HillHorace Annesley Vachell
prevaricate
verb
Word 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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper