malversation

[ mal-ver-sey-shuhn ]

noun

, Chiefly Law.

1. improper or corrupt behavior in office, especially in public office.

malversation

/ ˌmælvɜːˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. rare.
   professional or public misconduct

Word History and Origins

Origin of malversation¹

1540–50; < Middle French, equivalent to malvers ( er ) to embezzle (< Latin male versārī to behave badly, equivalent to male badly ( mal- ) + versārī to behave, conduct oneself, passive (in middle sense) of versāre to turn; versatile ) + -ation -ation

Word History and Origins

Origin of malversation¹

C16: from French, from malverser to behave badly, from Latin male versārī

Example Sentences

The state’s constitution says the Assembly can impeach officials with a simple majority vote for “misconduct or malversation.”

From Seattle Times

The State Constitution says an elected official can be removed from office “for misconduct or malversation in office,” but it does not say what constitutes an impeachable offense.

From New York Times

The state Constitution does not clearly lay out what counts as an impeachable offense, but it does say a public officer can be removed “for misconduct or malversation in office.”

From New York Times

Morales — whom The Times profiled in 2011 — and a masked member of the Zetas gang both provide tangible and graphic details of the widespread terror and malversation.

From Los Angeles Times

The second charge was more serious, amounting to an accusation of malversation in the funds of his regiment.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dereliction
• immorality
• impropriety
• malfeasance
• malpractice
• misbehavior
• mischief
• misdemeanor
• mismanagement
• offense
• transgression
• wrongdoing