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Prevaricated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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prevaricated

[prษชหˆverษชkeษชtษชd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

statement, truth

To prevaricate means to speak or act in an evasive way. This often involves deliberately avoiding answering a question directly or giving misleading information. It is commonly used in contexts where someone is trying to avoid telling the truth or where ambiguity is intentionally created. Prevarication can undermine trust and clarity in communication.

Synonyms

beat around the bush, equivocate, fence, hedge.

Examples of usage

  • The politician prevaricated when asked about his plans.
  • She prevaricated her way through the interrogation.
  • Instead of answering, he just prevaricated, confusing everyone.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • The term has appeared in various political contexts, often describing politicians who evade straight answers.
  • In literature, authors sometimes use the word to highlight moral dilemmas faced by characters who bend the truth.

Psychology

  • Research indicates that prevarication can stem from fear of consequences, highlighting the psychological weight of truth-telling.
  • People who habitually prevaricate may struggle with anxiety or low self-esteem, leading them to avoid conflict.

Law

  • In legal terms, prevarication can refer to a witness deliberately giving misleading information, impacting the justice process.
  • Judges may view such behaviors harshly, as they compromise the integrity of the court.

Literature

  • Famous authors, like Mark Twain, often explored themes of prevarication in their stories, emphasizing the consequences of lying.
  • Different genres, from drama to satire, frequently depict characters who prevaricate, reflecting societal views on honesty.

Origin of 'prevaricated'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'praevaricari', meaning 'to walk crookedly' or 'to stray'.
  • In old times, it was used to describe someone who misled or tricked others, especially in legal settings.

The term 'prevaricate' originates from the Latin word 'prevaricari', which means 'to straddle'. This refers to the act of a man straddling a line or position to avoid a definitive stance, reflecting the word's meaning of evasion or ambiguity. It was adopted into the English language in the early 17th century and has since maintained its connotation related to deceit or dodging directness in conversation. Over time, it has been commonly used in legal and political contexts, where clarity is essential, but where individuals may opt for obfuscation instead.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,609, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.