prevarication etymology

Etymology

• Latin: praevaricari ("to stray, to step aside, to shuffle")
• Proto-Indo-European: *prew- ("before, ahead") + *werg- ("to turn, to twist")

Meaning

Lying, misleading, evasion of the truth

Origin

The word "prevarication" originates from the Latin verb praevaricari, which had a variety of meanings, including "to stray, to step aside, to shuffle, to distort, to evade, to prevaricate." This verb was derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *prew- ("before, ahead") + *werg- ("to turn, to twist"). The original sense of "prevarication" was to turn aside from the truth, to evade or distort it.

Historical Usage

The word "prevarication" has been used in English since the 16th century. It was initially used to describe legal misconduct, such as knowingly presenting false evidence or concealing important information. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include any form of lying or misleading.

Contemporary Usage

Today, "prevarication" is commonly used to describe deliberate attempts to deceive or mislead others. It can refer to both verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as actions or omissions that are intended to create a false impression. Prevarication is considered a serious ethical violation and can have significant consequences in both personal and professional relationships.

prevarication relate terms

• varus

  Etymology and Origin of Varus Latin Origin The term varus is derived from the Lat

• vary

  Etymology Middle English verien from Old French varier from Late Latin variare fr

• prevaricate

  Etymology Latin praevaricari to walk crookedly Proto Indo European pre before

• prevarication

  Etymology Latin praevaricari to stray to step aside to shuffle Proto Indo Europea

• prae

  Etymology Prae is a Latin preposition meaning before or in front of It is derived

• equivocation

• falsehood

  Etymology The word falsehood originates from the Old English word fals meaning fal

• story

  Etymology The word story comes from the Middle English word storie which in turn com

• late

  Etymology The word late comes from the Old English word læte which means slow or

• tale

  Etymology The word tale comes from the Middle English word tale which is derived fro

• teal

  Etymology The word teal is derived from the Middle English term tele which in turn

• privilege

  Etymology Latin privilegium Proto Indo European pr̥ḱ li s before the law Mea

• magistrate

  Etymology The word magistrate is derived from the Latin word magistratus which orig