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