PREVARICATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Prevarications refer to deliberate deceitful or dishonest statements, acts, or behaviors that are intended to mislead or deceive others. It encompasses the act of intentionally avoiding or evading the truth, often by providing misleading or false information, in order to gain personal advantage, avoid responsibility, or manipulate a situation to one's benefit. Prevarications are typically characterized by the deliberate concealment, distortion, or omission of facts to create a false narrative or deceive others.
This term often implies a sense of intentional deception in the communication process, as prevarications are a purposeful attempt to mislead others by presenting false or partial truths. The use of prevarications can occur in various contexts, such as political speeches, legal proceedings, interpersonal interactions, or even casual conversations. It can involve providing ambiguous or evasive answers, making contradictions, or using misleading language to divert attention from the truth.
The motives behind prevarications can vary, ranging from self-preservation, protecting one's reputation, or advancing personal interests to manipulating or influencing others. Prevarications can cause harm by eroding trust, undermining relationships, compromising credibility, and hindering the establishment of truthful and transparent communication. Consequently, prevarications are generally considered unethical and dishonest, as they disregard the value of truth and the principles of integrity and honesty.
Common Misspellings for PREVARICATIONS
Etymology of PREVARICATIONS
The word "prevarications" derives from the Latin verb "praevaricari", which combines "prae" (meaning "before" or "in front") with "varicari" (meaning "to straddle" or "walk crookedly"). In Latin, "praevaricari" referred to walking with one's legs wide apart or straddling, suggesting a sense of wavering or swaying. Over time, the term developed a figurative meaning of "acting deceitfully" or "speaking evasively". This Latin word gave rise to the noun "prevaricatio" in Late Latin, which then evolved into the English term "prevarication", indicating deliberate deception or dishonesty in speech or behavior.
Similar spelling words for PREVARICATIONS
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