prēˈvarəˌkāt prə̇ˈ- also -ver-, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin praevaricatus, past participle of praevaricari to walk crookedly, collude, from prae- pre- + varicare to straddle, from varicus having the feet spread apart, from varus bent, knock-kneed; probably akin to Old English wōh crooked, Old High German winkil corner, wado calf of the leg, Old Norse vöthvi muscle, Gothic un wāhs blameless, Latin vatius bowlegged, vagus wandering, Sanskrit vañcati he goes crooked, vaṅgati he limps, and perhaps to Sanskrit ūru thigh; basic meaning: bending
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to swerve from regularity or rectitude : go astray
2. : to deviate from the truth : speak equivocally or evasively : lie
3. law : to deviate from duty and probity: as
a. Roman & civil law
(1) : to conceal a crime
(2) : to collude with the opposing party to an action in making a sham accusation or defense
b. Old English law
(1) of an informer or defendant : to collude in order to conduct a sham prosecution
(2) : to violate a trust secretly
transitive verb
1. obsolete : transgress
2. obsolete : pervert
Synonyms: see lie