Where does “peculation” come from?
Peculation comes from Latin peculatus, the past participle of peculari, derived from peculium meaning private property or savings, which developed from pecu meaning cattle, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European peḱ- meaning to pluck or acquire.
peculation (English): The wrongful appropriation or embezzlement of...
Definitions
- The wrongful appropriation or embezzlement of...
Ancestry of “peculation”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | peculatus | embezzlement of public money or property,... |
| 2 | Latin | peculor | I defraud the public; I embezzle public funds; I... |
| 3 | Latin | peculium | private property |
| 4 | Latin | pecu | cattle; domestic animals |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | péḱu | livestock |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | peḱ- | to pluck; livestock; wealth |