mendace

deceitful

adjective men-DAH-cheh Rare

Origin: Latin mendax, mendacis (lying)

Also means

mendacious

Usage Note

Mendace is a formal, literary adjective meaning lying or deceitful — un testimone mendace (a false witness). In everyday speech Italians prefer bugiardo (liar, adj.) or falso. Mendace appears mainly in legal, journalistic, or literary contexts. It is invariable for gender (un racconto mendace / una dichiarazione mendace).

Examples

"Il politico fu accusato di essere mendace."

Natural Translation

The politician was accused of being deceitful.

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