Category:Peculate

Pec"u*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating.] Etym: [l. peculatus, p.p. of peculari to peculate, akin To peculium private property. See peculiar.]

Defn: to appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to Steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle. An oppressive,. . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke.