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The Pillars of the Earth vocabulary
219 vocabulary words, including people, places, music, artists, etc.
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prevaricate
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synonyms: equivocate, palter, tergiversate ???
► definition
Definition:to speak or write mendaciously and circumlocuitously in order to deceive
► uses
Uses:
'[...] I have it in my power to inflict pain on you at any moment and to whatever degree I choose. If you tell me any lies, or attempt to prevaricate in any way, or even fall below your usual level of intelligence, you will cry out with pain, instantly. Do you understand that?’
George Orwell. 1984 (1949)
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I refused the pudding and excused myself, pleading tiredness, which was in no way prevarication.
Diana Gabaldon. Outlander (1991)
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"You're looking wonderful. Papa!" he said, and I thought, after so many years, the first words out of his mouth would have to be prevarication, but I was sort of struggling out of the porch swing at the time, which would be no great problem except of course there's nothing steady about a porch swing to grab on to,
Marilynne Robinson. Gilead, p.92 (2004)
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It was well to be candid with Philip: the man had no patience for prevarication.
Ken Follett. The Pillars of the Earth, pp.297-8 (1990)
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If you, my son, should now prevaricate,
And, to your own particular lusts employ
So great and catholic a bliss, be sure
A curse will follow, yea, and overtake
Your subtle and most secret ways.
Ben Jonson. The Alchemist (1610)
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PREVARICATOR, n. A liar in the caterpillar estate.
Ambrose Bierce. The Devil's Dictionary
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But when I came to the main range, his manner changed at once. He became uneasy, and began to prevaricate and shuffle. In a very few minutes I could see that of this too there existed traditions in his tribe; but no efforts or coaxing could get a word from him about them.
Samuel Butler. Erewhon
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