noun
prevarication
Prevarication (noun) means the act of dodging the truth rather than stating it plainly.
noun
1
The act of dodging the truth rather than stating it plainly.
"Prevarication became the order of the day in his government while truth was a stranger in those halls."
"Mr Rajoy frustrates many with his prevarication over a fresh euro-zone bail-out, which now comes with a conditional promise from the European Central Bank (ECB) to help bring down Spain’s stifling borrowing costs."
— , Charlemagne: Mysterious Mariano (2012)
2
A move away from what is proper or correct.
3
(law) A hidden misuse of power by someone holding a public position.
4
(law) Secret cooperation between an accuser and the accused so that a prosecution fails.
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Etymology
Borrowed from Latin praevāricātiō (“collusion with an opponent; duplicity, deceit; violation of duty, transgression”, literally “stepping out of line”), from praevāricor (“to walk crookedly; go astray; transgress”) + -tās. The virtually obsolete sense of deviation or transgression may have been influenced by an earlier stage of borrowing via Middle English prevaricacioun, prevaricacion (“deviation from the law; transgression”) from Anglo-Norman prevaricaciun (“transgression, violation of correct conduct”).
Related words
Rhymes for prevarication
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for prevarication →
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of prevarication?
"prevarication" (noun) means the act of dodging the truth rather than stating it plainly.
What is another word for prevarication?
Other words for "prevarication" include fabrication, lying, equivocation, lie, evasiveness.
What are the different meanings of prevarication?
"prevarication" has 3 main meanings: 1. The act of dodging the truth rather than stating it plainly; 2. A move away from what is proper or correct; 3. (law) A hidden misuse of power by someone holding a public position.
