Main Entry:

pre·var·i·cate

Pronunciation:

\pri-ˈver-ə-ˌkāt, -ˈva-rə-\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

pre·var·i·cat·ed; pre·var·i·cat·ing

Etymology:

Latin praevaricatus, past participle of praevaricari to act in collusion, literally, to straddle, from prae- + varicare to straddle, from varus bowlegged

Date:

circa 1631

: to deviate from the truth : equivocate

synonyms see lie

— pre·var·i·ca·tion \-ˌver-ə-ˈkā-shən, -ˈva-rə-\ noun

— pre·var·i·ca·tor \-ˈver-ə-ˌkā-tər, -ˈva-rə-\ noun