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peculateto steal or misappropriate money or funds entrusted to one's care, especially public funds

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to steal or misappropriate money or funds entrusted to one's care, especially public funds

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpekjəˌleɪt/

Korean meaning: 맡겨진 돈이나 자금, 특히 공금을 횡령하다, 착복하다

Korean pronunciation: **페**큘레이트

Example Sentences

  • The charity director was shocked to discover that his trusted assistant had been peculating donations meant for orphans.
  • When asked why he peculated the school lunch money, the treasurer replied, 'I thought the students needed to learn about economic hardship firsthand.'
  • The mayor's attempt to peculate the city's budget for his daughter's wedding was exposed by a whistleblower.

peculate

VERB

//ˈpekjəˌleɪt//

to steal or misappropriate money or funds entrusted to one's care, especially public funds

peculate concept
💡 Concept

someone stealing or misappropriating money or funds entrusted to one's care, especially public funds

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpekjəˌleɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpekjʊleɪt/

🌳Etymology

Rootpecul-
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin peculatus, meaning 'embezzlement of public funds,' derived from peculium meaning 'private property.' The root traces back to pecus meaning 'cattle,' since livestock was the primary measure of wealth in ancient times.

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🎵Rhyme

speculatecalculateregulate
speculate
calculate
regulate

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📝Examples

The charity director was shocked to discover that his trusted assistant had been peculating donations meant for orphans.

😄 Fun example

When asked why he peculated the school lunch money, the treasurer replied, 'I thought the students needed to learn about economic hardship firsthand.'

The mayor's attempt to peculate the city's budget for his daughter's wedding was exposed by a whistleblower.

😄 Fun example

He thought he could peculate small amounts without anyone noticing, but even mice leave crumbs.

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📚Related Words

Synonyms

embezzlemisappropriatepilferdefraudsteal

Antonyms

protectsafeguardpreserve

Related

corruptionfraudlarcenytheftmisuse