prevarication
|pre-var-i-ca-tion|
C1
/prɪˌværɪˈkeɪʃən/
(prevaricate)
deceptive evasion
Etymology
Etymology Information
'prevarication' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praevaricatio,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'varicare' meant 'to straddle.'
Historical Evolution
'praevaricatio' transformed into the Old French word 'prevaricacion,' and eventually became the modern English word 'prevarication' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to walk crookedly,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to lie or evade the truth.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of lying or deliberately avoiding the truth.
His prevarication was evident when he couldn't maintain eye contact.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41