peculation
The wrongful appropriation or embezzlement of shared or public property, usually by a person entrusted with the guardianship of that property.
Noun
- The wrongful appropriation or embezzlement of shared or public property, usually by a person entrusted with the guardianship of that property.
- [The Chief Magistrate] might pervert his administration into a scheme of peculation or oppression. - 1787, “Impeachment of the Executive, [20 July] 1787,” Founders Online, National Archives; Original source: The Papers...
- Sir Pitt Crawley (named after the great Commoner) was the son of Walpole Crawley, first Baronet, of the Tape and Sealing-Wax Office in the reign of George II., when he was impeached for peculation, as were a great...
- They were obliged to show that they were working for a living, and had some honestly-acquired means of existence. All who could not do so were placed upon public works at low wages, and thus were kept from the...
Hypernyms: misappropriation embezzlement
Origin
From Latin pecūlātiō (“embezzlement”) from pecūlor (“to defraud the public”), related to pecūlium (“property in cattle, private property”), from pecū (“cattle, money”).
Forms
Related
peculate peculator corruption corruptocracy kleptocracy venality