peculate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
    embezzle; misappropriate; defalcate; malversate.
    • The accountant embezzled thousands of dollars while working for the wealthy family

WordNet

Pec"u*late intransitive verb
Etymology
L. peculatus, p.p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See Peculiar.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Peculated ; present participle & verbal noun Peculating
Definitions
  1. To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.
    An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke.

Webster 1913