prevaricator etymology

Etymology:

• Latin: praevari, "to distort, pervert"
• prae-, "before"
• varus, "bent, crooked"

Meaning:

• A person who lies or misrepresents the truth habitually and intentionally.

Origin:

The term "prevaricator" originated in ancient Roman law, where it referred to someone who deliberately distorted or misrepresented facts during a legal proceeding. The word "praevari" itself comes from the Latin root "varus," which means "bent" or "crooked." Thus, a "prevaricator" was someone who "bent" the truth or made it "crooked."

Over time, the term came to be applied more broadly to anyone who habitually lied or misrepresented the truth, even outside of a legal context. It became synonymous with "liar" or "deceiver." In the English language, the word "prevaricator" first appeared in the early 16th century and has been used ever since to describe people who engage in habitual dishonesty.

prevaricator relate terms

• 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

• teach

  Etymology Definition The study of the origin development and meaning of words Origin

• lair

  Etymology and Origin of Lair The word lair has its origins in Middle English specifi

• rail

  Etymology The word rail originates from the Old French word rail which itself is de

• secretary

  Etymology Latin secretarius keeper of secrets Proto Indo European sekw follow

• pastor

  Etymology Latin pastor meaning shepherd or herdsman Old English pastor mean

• jukebox

  Etymology of Jukebox The term jukebox is a portmanteau word derived from the followi

• doubt

  Etymology The word doubt derives from the Old French word douter meaning to fear h

• envy

  Etymology The word envy comes from the Old French word envier which means to

• amen

  Etymology Amen originated from the Hebrew word ʾāmēn אָמֵן which is a transl