embezzle etymology

Etymology:

• 1570s, from Middle French embezzler, from Old French abesillier "to steal, deprive, rob, embezzle," probably from a variant of Frankish bisaljan "to accuse" (cognate with Dutch bezelen "to deceive," Old High German bisalahon "to slander"), from Proto-Germanic bisaljōn- (source also of Old English *besilian "to cheat").

Meaning:

To fraudulently appropriate (money or property) entrusted to one's care or invested in one's company.

Origin:

The origin of the word "embezzle" is traced back to the Old French word "abesillier," which meant "to steal, deprive, rob, or embezzle." This word likely stemmed from a variant of the Frankish word "bisaljan," which meant "to accuse." The Proto-Germanic root of this word, "bisaljōn-," also gave rise to the Old English word "besilian," meaning "to cheat."

embezzle relate terms

• bezzle

  Etymology The term bezzle is derived from the Middle English word becel which itsel

• embezzle

  Etymology 1570s from Middle French embezzler from Old French abesillier to steal de

• embezzlement

  Etymology embezzle 1590s from Middle French embezzler to steal Middle French embe

• embezzle

  Etymology 1570s from Middle French embezzler from Old French abesillier to steal de

• fiddle

  Etymology The word fiddle is derived from the Middle English word fithil which in tu

• least

  Etymology Old English lǣst least smallest Proto Germanic laisista smallest

• stale

  Etymology Middle English stale from Old French estale from Latin status meaning

• steal

  Etymology The word steal is derived from the Middle English word stealen which in tu

• slate

  Etymology The word slate comes from the Old Norse word slátr which means flat sto

• obedience

  Etymology The word obedience comes from the Latin word obsequium which means a lis

• fast

  Etymology Fast derives from the Middle English word faste which means to refrain from

• potential

  Etymology The term etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true meanin

• joke

  Etymology The word joke originates from the Middle English term jopen meaning to j

• helpmeet

  Etymology Help from Old English helpan meaning to aid assist or support Meet