peculate

IPA

Dictionary definition of peculate

To embezzle or steal money or property, particularly funds that have been entrusted to someone's care or management.
"The accountant was caught attempting to peculate funds from the company."

Detailed meaning of peculate

This can include taking money from a company, organization, or government agency, or misappropriating funds that belong to an individual or group. Peculation often involves a breach of trust or fiduciary duty, as the perpetrator is abusing their position of responsibility to enrich themselves at the expense of others. Peculation may be carried out through various means, such as fraudulent accounting practices, false claims for reimbursement, or diversion of funds. Those who are found guilty of peculation may face serious legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, or loss of professional licensure. Overall, the term "peculate" suggests a sense of dishonesty, exploitation, and breach of trust, and is often used to describe acts of financial corruption or fraud.

Example sentences containing peculate

1. The corrupt official attempted to peculate public funds for personal gain.
2. The treasurer was caught trying to peculate money from the organization's accounts.
3. The accountant used their position to peculate funds from unsuspecting clients.
4. She was accused of peculating thousands of dollars from the charity she worked for.
5. The CEO was found guilty of peculating company assets and was sentenced to prison.
6. The financial advisor peculated his clients' investments, leaving them with substantial losses.

History and etymology of peculate

The verb 'peculate' has a Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word 'peculatus,' which in turn comes from 'peculium,' meaning 'private property' or 'savings.' In ancient Rome, 'peculatus' referred to the unlawful appropriation of another person's property, particularly funds that had been entrusted to one's care or management. This Latin term underscored the gravity of misappropriating someone else's assets. As 'peculate' made its way into the English language, it retained this sense of embezzlement or theft of entrusted property, especially money. Thus, the etymology of 'peculate' reflects its historical connection to wrongful financial appropriation, emphasizing the breach of trust involved in such actions.

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Further usage examples of peculate

1. The politician was caught peculating campaign funds to support a lavish lifestyle.
2. He devised an elaborate scheme to peculate funds from the pension fund.
3. The employee's attempt to peculate company resources was quickly discovered.
4. The manager was suspected of peculating inventory from the warehouse.
5. The bank teller was arrested for peculating money from customers' accounts.
6. The accountant's careful manipulation of records allowed him to peculate funds unnoticed.
7. The dishonest contractor peculated materials from the construction site.
8. The trustee was entrusted with managing the estate but chose to peculate the assets.
9. The executive used shell companies to peculate profits from the company.
10. The investment advisor was found guilty of peculating clients' savings through fraudulent schemes.
11. The embezzler carefully covered their tracks while peculating funds from the nonprofit organization.
12. The high-ranking official's attempt to peculate public funds shook the nation.
13. The bookkeeper's meticulous manipulation of financial statements allowed her to peculate large sums of money.
14. The con artist devised a complex scheme to peculate funds from unsuspecting victims.