peculato

embezzlement

noun peh-koo-LAH-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin peculatus, from peculium (private property).

Usage Note

Peculato is the specific legal term for embezzlement by a public official — misappropriating public funds. It is narrower than the general truffa (fraud) and applies only to public servants. The equivalent English legal term is 'peculation', though 'embezzlement' is the common translation.

Examples

"Il funzionario è accusato di peculato."

Natural Translation

The official is accused of embezzlement.

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