Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
peculate
This term describes a specific type of theft characterized by a breach of trust. It is distinct from general stealing because it requires the perpetrator to have had legal access or administrative control over the assets before misappropriating them. It carries a heavy connotation of betrayal and professional misconduct, typically appearing in legal, forensic, or high-level corporate contexts.
Because of its specialized nature, the word is rarely used in casual conversation, where "embezzle" or "steal" would be more common. It evokes an image of white-collar crime involving ledgers, public treasuries, and the systematic siphoning of funds rather than a sudden, violent act of theft.
Meanings
Examples
The treasurer attempted to peculate funds from the municipal pension plan.
He was accused of trying to peculate government grants intended for rural development.
He was accused of trying to peculate government grants intended for rural development.
I cannot believe she would peculate money from the charity she managed.
The auditor discovered that the manager had peculated thousands of dollars over five years.
You cannot simply peculate the company assets to fund your lifestyle.
The disgraced official was imprisoned after he peculated millions from the national treasury.
Who would dare peculate from the royal coffers in a palace full of guards?
The investigation revealed a complex scheme to peculate tax revenues.