| 释义 |
▪ I. † ˈpeculate, n. Obs.
Also 7 -at.
[ad. L. pecūlāt-us embezzlement, f. pecūlārī: see next. In F. peculat (1568 in Hatz.-Darm.), It. peculato, Sp. peculado.]
= peculation.
a1649Drummond of Hawthornden Hist. Jas. II, Wks. (1711) 24 Articles being forged and urged against them, especially of peculate, as sale of crown-lands, waste of the king's treasure,..transporting lands to themselves and their friends. 1656J. Harrington Oceana Wks. (1700) 159 Such as were arrain'd or try'd for Peculat, or Defraudation of the Commonwealth. 1686Burnet Trav. iii. (1750) 153 One of the Nobles was accused of Peculat. 1753Chambers Cycl. Supp., Peculator, one who is guilty of the crime called peculate.
▪ II. peculate, v.|ˈpɛkjʊleɪt|
[f. L. pecūlāt-, ppl. stem of pecūlārī to embezzle, f. pecūlium private property, orig. in cattle, f. pecu cattle, money.]
†1. trans. To rob (the state or country) by peculation. Obs.
1749W. Douglass Brit. Settlem. N. Amer. II. 17 In Massachusetts..they peculated the Country by ruinous unnecessary Expence of Money.
2. To embezzle or pilfer (money).
1802H. Martin Helen of Glenross III. 223 Two thousand pounds..what she justly charges me with having peculated from her Father. 1827Southey Hist. Penins. War II. 619 The people..accused them of having peculated the public money. 1884Manchester Exam. 1 Oct. 4/5 Several millions of taels, which they have..peculated from the Imperial funds.
3. intr. To practise peculation.
1861Lowell E Pluribus Unum Pr. Wks. 1890 V. 45 They..have peculated in advance by a kind of official post-obit. 1876Rogers Pol. Econ. xi. 135 The honesty of a servant or manager, who does not embezzle or peculate.
Hence ˈpeculating vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1783Burke Sp. Fox's E. Ind. Bill Wks. IV. 93 An oppressive..rapacious, and peculating despotism, with a direct disavowal of obedience to any authority at home..is..the state of your charter-government over great kingdoms. 1895Athenæum 7 Sept. 328/1 [The endowments have] long since vanished, no doubt, into the pockets of peculating pashas. |