Webster's 1828 Dictionary
PREVARICATION
n.A shuffling or quibbling to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; the practice of some trick for evading what is just or honorable; a deviation from the plain path of truth and fair dealing. 1. In the civil law, the collusion of an informer with the defendant, for the purpose of making a sham prosecution.
2. In common law, a seeming to undertake a thing falsely or deceitfully, for the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
3. A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office or commission.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
PREVARICATION
Pre *var `i *ca "tion, n. Etym: [L. praevaricatio: cf. F. prévarication.]
1. The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation from the truth and fair dealing. The august tribunal of the skies, where no prevarication shall avail. Cowper.
2. A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office.
3. (Law ) (a ) (Roman Law ) The collusion of an informer with the defendant, for the purpose of making a sham prosecution. (b ) (Common Law ) A false or deceitful seeming to undertake a thing for the purpose of defeating or destroying it. Cowell.
Sanseido Wisdom Dictionary
prevarication
pre v à r i c á tion 名詞 U C ｟かたく ｠言い逃れ, ごまかし ; うそ .
The Wordsmith Dictionary