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 )

Example Sentences

I concealed the name of my boat from her, and made a calculated prevarication when I announced my presence in London.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no prevarication or difficulty with the only witness examined.

From Project Gutenberg

He had by a violent effort recovered his equanimity, and said,—'Prevarication or denial I suppose to be useless.

From Project Gutenberg

I am ashamed of the prevarication; his heart certainly was broken, but his own hand assisted the slower operations of nature.

From Project Gutenberg

One nation robs another—that other demands reparation—prevarication is the reply.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dishonesty
• equivocation
• falsehood