Prevaricate

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /pɹɪˈvaɹɪkeɪt/

Definitions

1. To intentionally distort or manipulate the truth while avoiding direct confrontation on an issue
2. To evade straightforward communication by using ambiguous, misleading, or indirect language in order to conceal the truth
3. To avoid giving a clear or direct answer by speaking ambiguously or misleadingly

Etymology: The verb "prevaricate" began with a body posture. Its Latin ancestor, "praevaricari," described a man walking with his legs spread apart, straddling the line, and from there it came to mean playing a double part or acting crookedly, especially in a legal dispute. The root is "varicus," "with feet spread apart," which is also the source of "varicose," a word for swollen veins that are twisted or splayed out of shape. The Latin sense of straddling two sides carried over into the idea of dodging the truth. A Roman advocate who colluded with the opposing party while appearing to defend his client was said to prevaricate, and that legal flavour of betrayal is what the English word kept. Over time the emphasis moved from outright betrayal to the evasive, deliberately vague answer.

Synonyms: lie, mislead, equivocate, falsify, dissemble

Antonyms: be honest, tell the truth