peculation

noun /pɛkjʊˈleɪʃən/

1. The wrongful appropriation or embezzlement of shared or public property, usually by a person entrusted with the guardianship of that property.

   countable, historical, uncountable

   [The Chief Magistrate] might pervert his administration into a scheme of peculation or oppression.

Where it comes from

From Latin pecūlātiō (“embezzlement”) from pecūlor (“to defraud the public”), related to pecūlium (“property in cattle, private property”), from pecū (“cattle, money”).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry peculation (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← pectinatepedage →

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