palter

[ pawl-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully; lie or use trickery.
2. to bargain with; haggle.
3. to act carelessly; trifle.

palter

/ ˈpɔːltə /

verb

1. to act or talk insincerely
2. to haggle

Derived Forms

• ˈpalterer, noun

Other Words From

• palter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of palter¹

1530–40 in sense “to speak indistinctly,” perhaps alteration of falter in same sense, with p- from palsy ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of palter¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But though his language is calm and restrained, he never condescends to palter with slavery.

From Project Gutenberg

But her stainless heart was too proud in virtue to palter and equivocate with circumstances.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chorus hear it too; but they linger and palter, while each gives his grave sentence deliberately in his proper turn.

From Project Gutenberg

Do not think that you should palter with the truth either because it may not be palatable to me, or seem decorous to yourself.

From Project Gutenberg

Yancey, speaking for Alabama, refused to palter with any plan not built on the proposition that slavery was in itself right.

From Project Gutenberg