words which have a double meaning, so that in one sense he can claim to have said the truth, though
he does in fact deceive, and intends to do it. He who prevaricates talks all round the question, hoping
to "dodge" it, and disclose nothing.
Prevaricate
(Pre*var"i*cate), v. t. To evade by a quibble; to transgress; to pervert. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
Prevarication
(Pre*var`i*ca"tion) n. [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.
Prevaricator
(Pre*var"i*ca`tor) n. [L. praevaricator: cf. F. prévaricateur.]
1. One who prevaricates.
2. (Roman Law) A sham dealer; one who colludes with a defendant in a sham prosecution.
3. One who betrays or abuses a trust. Prynne.
Preve
(Preve) v. i. & i. To prove. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Preve
(Preve), n. Proof. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Prevenance
(Prev"e*nance) n. [F. prévenance.] (Metaph.) A going before; anticipation in sequence or
order. "The law of prevenance is simply the well-known law of phenomenal sequence." Ward.
Prevenancy
(Prev"e*nan*cy) n. The act of anticipating another's wishes, desires, etc., in the way of
favor or courtesy; hence, civility; obligingness. [Obs.] Sterne.
Prevene
(Pre*vene") v. t. & i. [F. prévenir, L. praevenire. See Prevent.] To come before; to anticipate; hence,
to hinder; to prevent. [Obs.] Philips.
Prevenience
(Pre*ven"i*ence) n. The act of going before; anticipation. [R.]
Prevenient
(Pre*ven"i*ent) a. [L. praeveniens, p. pr.] Going before; preceding; hence, preventive. "Prevenient
grace descending." Milton.
Prevent
(Pre*vent") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prevented; p. pr. & vb. n. Preventing.] [L. praevenire, praeventum;
prae before + venire to come. See Come.]
1. To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide; to direct. [Obs.]
We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1
Thess. iv. 15.
We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us.
Bk. of Common Prayer.
Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen.
Prior.
