peculated
|pec-u-lat-ed|
/ˈpɛkjəleɪt/
(peculate)
take entrusted property
Etymology
'peculate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'peculatus', where the root 'pecu-' (from Latin 'pecus') meant 'cattle' or more broadly 'property/wealth'.
'peculate' changed from the Latin past participle 'peculatus' (from the verb 'peculare') via Medieval/Legal Latin into English as 'peculate', preserving the sense of appropriating property.
Initially it meant 'to appropriate cattle or property (as personal wealth)', but over time it evolved into the modern sense 'to embezzle or misappropriate (especially funds entrusted to one's care)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to embezzle or appropriate (money or property), especially public funds or assets held in trust.
He peculated funds from the charity over several years before being discovered.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/31 17:11