Prevaricate Meaning and Definition
Prevaricate
Pronunciation
/prɛvəˈrɪkeɪt/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To speak or act in a way that is not honest or truthful; to deceive or mislead by speaking falsely or evasively.
Examples
- Her excuse for missing the deadline was a clear attempt to prevaricate about her lack of work.
- The politician’s prevaricating response to the press raised suspicions about her involvement in the scandal.
Synonyms
- Deceive
- Evasively spoke
- Juggle words
Antonyms
- Honest
- Truthful
- Straightforward
Etymology
The word “prevaricate” comes from the Latin word “praevaricatus,” which means “to walk twistedly” or “to take a wrong path.” This Latin word is a combination of “prae” (meaning “before” or “ahead”) and “varicare” (meaning “to walk”).
Usage Notes
When using the word “prevaricate,” be aware that it implies a deliberate attempt to deceive or mislead. It’s not just a matter of being mistaken or unclear; the speaker or writer is actively trying to hide the truth or present a false narrative.
It’s worth noting that “prevaricate” is often used in formal or technical contexts, and it’s not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, it’s a useful word to know when discussing politics, business, or other areas where honesty and transparency are crucial.
Cultural References
The word “prevaricate” has been used in various forms of media, including literature, film, and television. In William Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing,” the character Beatrice uses the word to accuse her friend Benedick of prevaricating about his feelings.
In the novel “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens, the character Magwitch prevaricates about his past in order to protect his friend Pip.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some idiomatic expressions that include the word “prevaricate” include:
- “To prevaricate about” – to speak or act in a way that is not honest or truthful
- “To prevaricate over” – to avoid discussing a difficult or unpleasant topic
Related Words or Phrases
Some words or phrases that are closely related to “prevaricate” include:
- Deceive
- Evasively speak
- Juggle words
- Dodge the question
Collocations
Some common collocations with “prevaricate” include:
- “To prevaricate about the facts” – to speak or act in a way that is not honest or truthful about the facts
- “To prevaricate over the truth” – to avoid discussing a difficult or unpleasant topic
Frequency of Use
The word “prevaricate” is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is occasionally used in formal or technical contexts.
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “prevaricate” appears in only about 1 in 1 million words of English text.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of “prevaricate” include:
- Prevaricatee
- Prevarication
- Pervaricate
Additional Information
The word “prevaricate” has a long history, dating back to the 15th century. Over time, its meaning has evolved to encompass not only the act of speaking falsely but also the act of evading or avoiding the truth. In modern usage, the word is often used in formal or technical contexts to describe deliberate attempts to deceive or mislead.
In addition to its formal uses, “prevaricate” has also been used in various idiomatic expressions, such as “to prevaricate about” or “to prevaricate over.” These expressions convey the idea of avoiding honesty or transparency in speech or action.
The word “prevaricate” also has cultural connotations, particularly in the context of politics or business. For example, a politician who prevaricates about their plans or policies may be seen as lacking transparency or honesty.