malversation

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From French malversation, from malverser, from Latin male versari (behave badly). Compare Spanish malversación (embezzlement).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /mælvəˈseɪʃən/

Noun[edit]

malversation (countable and uncountable, plural malversations)

  1. corrupt behaviour, illegitimate activity, especially by someone in authority
    • 1549, chapter XIX, in The Complaynt of Scotland:
      the euyl exempil of ther maluersatione prouokyt the pepil til adhere to vice & to detest vertu.
    • 1668 July 3rd, James Dalrymple, “Thomas Rue contra Andrew Houſtoun” in The Deciſions of the Lords of Council & Seſſion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 548
      The Decreet was for Sallary, and it was offered to be proven, that Rue (for his Malverſation) was by warrand from General Monk, excluded from Collection that year.
    • 1923, Powys Mathers, transl., The Thousand Nights and One Night:
      The walī looked angrily on my brother, saying: ‘Shameless ill-doer, it is quite clear from these marks upon your back that you have practised every sort of crime and malversation.’
    • 1935, T.S. Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral, Part I:
      I see nothing quite conclusive in the art of temporal government,
      But violence, duplicity and frequent malversation.

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From malverser +‎ -ation, from Latin male (badly) versari (behave).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /mal.vɛʁ.sa.sjɔ̃/
  • (file)

Noun[edit]

malversation f (plural malversations)

  1. malversation, corruption

Further reading[edit]