embezzlev.

/ɛmˈbɛz(ə)l/

Forms: α. Middle English enbesyl, enbesel(l, Middle English–1500s embesell, embesill, embesyle, embesyll, (1500s embecill), 1500s–1700s embezel(l, embezil(l, embezle, embezzel(l, 1600s embeasil, embeazle, embes(s)el(l, 1500s– embezzle. β. Middle English–1700s imbezel(l, imbezill, (1500s–1600s imbeazel(l), 1600s–1700s imbezzel(l, imbezzil, imbezle, 1500s–1700s imbesel(l, imbesil(l, (1500s–1600s imbeasell, imbeasil, imbecile, imbecill, imbesle, ymbessill,) 1600s imbezzle.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman enbesiler (quots. 1397 at sense 1aα. , 1404 at sense 1bα. ), ‘to make away with, cause to disappear, fraudulently destroy’; < en- + beseler (see bezzle v.), which occurs (with the same sense) in the Year-books of 32–33 Edw. III (1305), and appears to be identical with Old French besillier (Provençal besillar) to maltreat, ravage, destroy; according to M. Paul Meyer < Latin bis-, in late Latin used as a pejorative prefix. In 16th cent. the English word appears to have been referred to the Latin imbecillare to weaken (see imbecile adj. and n.), and this notion has possibly in some degree influenced the subsequent development of the sense.

†1.

a. transitive. To make away with (provisions, money, etc.); esp. to carry off secretly (what belongs to another person) for one's own use. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)]

atbraidOE

benimOE

fornimOE

to reach upOE

reaveOE

bilacchea1325

to take away1372

stealc1374

privea1387

beneme1387

reach?a1400

deprivec1400

subduce1434

embezzle1469

pluckc1475

fortakea1500

raima1500

devest1538

rig1573

imbolish1592

exact1660

drain1673

the mind > possession > taking > taking surreptitiously > take surreptitiously [verb (transitive)]

forsteala940

stealc950

undernimc1175

to run away with?c1430

embezzle1469

steal?1473

surrept1548

cloyne1549

abstract1555

secrete1749

smuggle1768

to run off1821

snakea1861

sneak1883

snitch1904

palm1941

α.

1397 Will of John of Gaunt in Nichols Royal Wills 155 Drap enbroudes..et toutes autres pieces de la suit..quels je achatay de..la Duchesse de Northfolk aussi entierement sans riens ent enbeseiller com jes les avoy de ele.]

1469 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 91 See that noe vitaills..ne none other stuffe of the seide householde be enbeselled oute.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 531/2 He that embesylleth a thyng intendeth to steale it.

1552 in Surrey Archæol. Coll. (1869) 4 55 There was embeselyd one auter clothe and two towelles.

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. viii. 42 The Utensells thereof had lately been Embezelled.

1750 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 151 One of these [bibles] was to be placed in every parish church, chained so as not to be embezzeled.

β. 1474 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) *30 Nor that they [sc. the porters] suffree any stuffe to be imbezelled out of the sayde gates.1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 253 Babling and foule mouthed boys..shal imbesill your apparrell.1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten Disc. Voy. E. & W. Indies i. iii. 4/2 But little of it commeth to the owners hands, being imbeseled and priuily made away.1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 235 Many of the kings Jewels were..imbeseled.1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iv. 140 The Sailers..are much to blame for imbesling the prouisions.figurative.1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Av^v Thee pryvee masse..embecilleth and taketh out of our hartes Christ.

†b. To make away with, fraudulently destroy (a charter, title-deed, etc.). In later use also, To mutilate, tamper with (a document or writing of any kind). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (transitive)]

pick?c1300

takec1300

fetch1377

bribec1405

usurpc1412

rapc1415

to rap and rendc1415

embezzle1495

lifta1529

pilfer1532

suffurate1542

convey?1545

mill1567

prig1567

strike1567

lag1573

shave1585

knave1601

twitch1607

cly1610

asport1621

pinch1632

snapa1639

nap1665

panyar1681

to carry off1684

to pick up1687

thievea1695

to gipsy away1696

bone1699

make1699

win1699

magg1762

snatch1766

to make off with1768

snavel1795

feck1809

shake1811

nail1819

geach1821

pull1821

to run off1821

smug1825

nick1826

abduct1831

swag1846

nobble1855

reef1859

snig1862

find1865

to pull off1865

cop1879

jump1879

slock1888

swipe1889

snag1895

rip1904

snitch1904

pole1906

glom1907

boost1912

hot-stuff1914

score1914

clifty1918

to knock off1919

snoop1924

heist1930

hoist1931

rabbit1943

to rip off1967

to have off1974

the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > efface, obliterate [verb (transitive)] > fraudulently

embezzle1495

the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > annul, cancel, revoke [verb (transitive)] > dishonestly

embezzle1495

α.

1404 Act 5 Hen. IV, c. 14 (Record ed.) Porce que pleuseurs pies de fins..et les notes de tielx fyns demorantz en le comune Bank, aient este devant ces heures enbesilez, & autres pies & notes de fyns fauxement contreovez & mys en lour lieux.]

1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 51 Preamble The evydences concernyng the same Maners..ben embeselled by..ill disposed persones.

1509–10 Act 1 Hen. VIII c. 8 The said commissioner or escheatour may nott change nor enbesyll the said offices or inquisiciones.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. Prol. f. i The sayd boke..was enbeselyd or loste.

1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. xxi. 625 If a Justice of the Peace will craftily embesill an Enditement.

1660 H. More Explan. Grand Myst. Godliness vii. xi. 326 The Writings of the Evangelists..were never embeseled.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Warw. 133 The Records belonging to this family have been embezeled.

1691 E. Taylor tr. Behmen Life 425 A Hieroglyphical Monument..was razed and embezelled by the rude Hands.

β. 1504 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) Introd. 64 How..evydenc' hath bene imbeseled.1665 E. Stillingfleet Rational Acct. Protestant Relig. 212 Is it then possible to suppose all those Copy's at once imbezeled.1671 F. Philipps Regale Necessarium Ep. Ded. sig. b^v It is Felony to imbezill or corrupt a Record.1678 A. Marvell Let. 26 Feb. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 219 Upon occasion of imbezilling the Bill sent from the Lords.

†c. To entice away (a person) from service, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (transitive)] > entice or seduce > from allegiance or a master

seduce1477

embezzle1579

subducec1600

1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin xiii. 752 He would be a conuenient instrument to embeasell from the armie of Franciscomaria, the bandes of Gascoins.

1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie v. iii. sig. H3 I had rather thou shouldest rob my chest, than imbesell my sonne.

†2. To weaken, impair, diminish. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > affect detrimentally > impair the action or effectiveness of

maimc1395

appale?1530

embezzle1566

weaken1639

cripple1694

derange1776

enfeeble1860

bosh1870

dent1931

1566 T. Drant in tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. D And so imbecill all theyr strengthe, That they are naught to me.

1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Appetisser, to diminish, to lessen, to imbesill.

1610 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 121 Whereby the Quene's Majesties custome..maye..be..empayred..or embeselled.

1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo 307 The Kings or Princes Valuation is effected..by embeasiling the standard of money, by allay.

1636 D. Featley Clavis Mystica lxx. 892 Our luxury hath imbezelled us.

1657 tr. B. Valentinus Last Will & Test. i. xxxvii. 65 Have a respect to the upper Scaffolds,..that they be not imbezled.

†3. To impair or diminish by waste or extravagance; to squander, dissipate (property, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > squandering or prodigality > squander [verb (transitive)]

forspendc893

scatter1154

dispend1303

waste1340

misspendc1390

miswastec1400

consumec1425

waste1474

profund1527

lasha1535

prodige1538

lavish1542

to play away1562

riot1566

embezzle1578

dilapidate1590

squander1593

confound1598

to make ducks and drakes of or withc1600

prodigalize1611

profuse1611

squander1611

paddle1616

bezzle1617

to run out of ——1622

to piss away1628

prodigal1628

decoct1629

to bangle (away)1632

debauch1632

deboise1632

to fribble away1633

to fool out1635

to run outa1640

to fiddle away1667

slattera1681

dissipate1682

to play off1693

duck-and-drake1700

liquidate1702

sparkle away1703

waster1821

befool1861

to frivol away1866

to play (at) duck and drake with1872

to fling away1873

mislive1887

slather1904

mucker1928

profligate1938

peter1956

spaff2002

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (transitive)] > waste

spilla1000

scatter1154

aspilla1250

rospa1325

waste1340

spend1390

consumec1425

waste1474

miswenda1500

forsumea1510

to cast away1530

to throw away1561

embezzle1578

squander1593

palter1595

profuse1611

squander1611

ravel1614

sport1622

to fool away1628

to stream out1628

to fribble away1633

sweal1655

frisk1665

to fiddle away1667

wantonize1673

slattera1681

swattle1681

drivel1686

swatter1690

to muddle away1707

squander1717

sot1746

slattern1747

meisle1808

fritter1820

waster1821

slobber1837

to cut to waste1863

fringe1863

potter1883

putter1911

profligate1938

to piddle away1942

haemorrhage1978

spaff2002

α.

1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 26 Nature..would not..for the insertion of Muscles..embicill, and wast so much of the bones.

1624 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy (ed. 2) iii. ii. v. v. 454 He hath embeazled his estate.

1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall iii. 37 Fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Countrey.

1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 26 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1477 At Rome..it is not the fashion..to embezzle at least half of it [sc. the day] at table.

1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) II. 901/1 His fortune, which had been so much embezzled.

β. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iii. xv. 179 When they haue with riot and prodigality, embezelled their estates.1679 J. Goodman Penitent Pardoned (1713) i. iv. 99 He wastes and imbezils the very talents and abilities God had endowed him with.1683 J. Crowne City Politiques ii. 24 I have Imbezell'd all the Furniture of my Soul and body in vice.

4. (The only current sense.) To divert to one's own use (money, etc.) in violation of trust or official duty. [At first apparently a contextual use of 1 and 3; in early examples not distinguishable from one or the other of these.]

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > embezzlement or misappropriation > embezzle or misappropriate [verb (transitive)]

purloinc1475

embezzle1585

intervert1600

peculate1715

misappropriate1825

eat1849

to knock downa1854

malversate1881

α.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxviii. i. 1016 The Tribunes..proceeded to charge him..for embezzeling and averting to his proper use certeine treasure gotten from King Antiochus.

1783 E. Burke in 11th Rep. Select Comm. Admin. Justice Bengal, Bahar & Orissa 15 His Fortune as grossly mismanaged and embezzled.

1833 T. B. Macaulay War Succession in Spain in Ess. (1854) I. 249/1 Bellasys, the English General, embezzled the stores.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 363 The rapacious governor had daily opportunities of embezzling and extorting.

β. 1585 Fleetwood in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 301 To steale and imbesell any thinge in his charge this is felonye.1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 211 The seruant that hath any goods..deliuered him to keepe by his Master and..doth..imbezle, or conuert the same to his own vse, the same, shall be judged a theefe.1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures viii. 24 That Mahometan, who had imbezzled away a great part of the goods committed to his charge.

5. Used by Shelton to render the like-sounding Spanish embelesar, to bewilder, stupefy [compare bezzle v.]

ΚΠ

1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote ii. liii. 357 Sancho was astonish't and embeseld with what he heard & saw.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	embezzle
释义	embezzlev. /ɛmˈbɛz(ə)l/ Forms: α. Middle English enbesyl, enbesel(l, Middle English–1500s embesell, embesill, embesyle, embesyll, (1500s embecill), 1500s–1700s embezel(l, embezil(l, embezle, embezzel(l, 1600s embeasil, embeazle, embes(s)el(l, 1500s– embezzle. β. Middle English–1700s imbezel(l, imbezill, (1500s–1600s imbeazel(l), 1600s–1700s imbezzel(l, imbezzil, imbezle, 1500s–1700s imbesel(l, imbesil(l, (1500s–1600s imbeasell, imbeasil, imbecile, imbecill, imbesle, ymbessill,) 1600s imbezzle. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman enbesiler (quots. 1397 at sense 1aα. , 1404 at sense 1bα. ), ‘to make away with, cause to disappear, fraudulently destroy’; < en- + beseler (see bezzle v.), which occurs (with the same sense) in the Year-books of 32–33 Edw. III (1305), and appears to be identical with Old French besillier (Provençal besillar) to maltreat, ravage, destroy; according to M. Paul Meyer < Latin bis-, in late Latin used as a pejorative prefix. In 16th cent. the English word appears to have been referred to the Latin imbecillare to weaken (see imbecile adj. and n.), and this notion has possibly in some degree influenced the subsequent development of the sense. †1. a. transitive. To make away with (provisions, money, etc.); esp. to carry off secretly (what belongs to another person) for one's own use. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] atbraidOE benimOE fornimOE to reach upOE reaveOE bilacchea1325 to take away1372 stealc1374 privea1387 beneme1387 reach?a1400 deprivec1400 subduce1434 embezzle1469 pluckc1475 fortakea1500 raima1500 devest1538 rig1573 imbolish1592 exact1660 drain1673 the mind > possession > taking > taking surreptitiously > take surreptitiously [verb (transitive)] forsteala940 stealc950 undernimc1175 to run away with?c1430 embezzle1469 steal?1473 surrept1548 cloyne1549 abstract1555 secrete1749 smuggle1768 to run off1821 snakea1861 sneak1883 snitch1904 palm1941 α. 1397 Will of John of Gaunt in Nichols Royal Wills 155 Drap enbroudes..et toutes autres pieces de la suit..quels je achatay de..la Duchesse de Northfolk aussi entierement sans riens ent enbeseiller com jes les avoy de ele.] 1469 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 91 See that noe vitaills..ne none other stuffe of the seide householde be enbeselled oute. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 531/2 He that embesylleth a thyng intendeth to steale it. 1552 in Surrey Archæol. Coll. (1869) 4 55 There was embeselyd one auter clothe and two towelles. 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. viii. 42 The Utensells thereof had lately been Embezelled. 1750 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 151 One of these [bibles] was to be placed in every parish church, chained so as not to be embezzeled. β. 1474 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 30 Nor that they [sc.* the porters] suffree any stuffe to be imbezelled out of the sayde gates.1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 253 Babling and foule mouthed boys..shal imbesill your apparrell.1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten Disc. Voy. E. & W. Indies i. iii. 4/2 But little of it commeth to the owners hands, being imbeseled and priuily made away.1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 235 Many of the kings Jewels were..imbeseled.1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iv. 140 The Sailers..are much to blame for imbesling the prouisions.figurative.1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Av^v Thee pryvee masse..embecilleth and taketh out of our hartes Christ. †b. To make away with, fraudulently destroy (a charter, title-deed, etc.). In later use also, To mutilate, tamper with (a document or writing of any kind). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > steal [verb (transitive)] pick?c1300 takec1300 fetch1377 bribec1405 usurpc1412 rapc1415 to rap and rendc1415 embezzle1495 lifta1529 pilfer1532 suffurate1542 convey?1545 mill1567 prig1567 strike1567 lag1573 shave1585 knave1601 twitch1607 cly1610 asport1621 pinch1632 snapa1639 nap1665 panyar1681 to carry off1684 to pick up1687 thievea1695 to gipsy away1696 bone1699 make1699 win1699 magg1762 snatch1766 to make off with1768 snavel1795 feck1809 shake1811 nail1819 geach1821 pull1821 to run off1821 smug1825 nick1826 abduct1831 swag1846 nobble1855 reef1859 snig1862 find1865 to pull off1865 cop1879 jump1879 slock1888 swipe1889 snag1895 rip1904 snitch1904 pole1906 glom1907 boost1912 hot-stuff1914 score1914 clifty1918 to knock off1919 snoop1924 heist1930 hoist1931 rabbit1943 to rip off1967 to have off1974 the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > efface, obliterate [verb (transitive)] > fraudulently embezzle1495 the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > annul, cancel, revoke [verb (transitive)] > dishonestly embezzle1495 α. 1404 Act 5 Hen. IV, c. 14 (Record ed.) Porce que pleuseurs pies de fins..et les notes de tielx fyns demorantz en le comune Bank, aient este devant ces heures enbesilez, & autres pies & notes de fyns fauxement contreovez & mys en lour lieux.] 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 51 Preamble The evydences concernyng the same Maners..ben embeselled by..ill disposed persones. 1509–10 Act 1 Hen. VIII c. 8 The said commissioner or escheatour may nott change nor enbesyll the said offices or inquisiciones. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. Prol. f. i The sayd boke..was enbeselyd or loste. 1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. xxi. 625 If a Justice of the Peace will craftily embesill an Enditement. 1660 H. More Explan. Grand Myst. Godliness vii. xi. 326 The Writings of the Evangelists..were never embeseled. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Warw. 133 The Records belonging to this family have been embezeled. 1691 E. Taylor tr. Behmen Life 425 A Hieroglyphical Monument..was razed and embezelled by the rude Hands. β. 1504 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) Introd. 64 How..evydenc' hath bene imbeseled.1665 E. Stillingfleet Rational Acct. Protestant Relig. 212 Is it then possible to suppose all those Copy's at once imbezeled.1671 F. Philipps Regale Necessarium Ep. Ded. sig. b^v It is Felony to imbezill or corrupt a Record.1678 A. Marvell Let. 26 Feb. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 219 Upon occasion of imbezilling the Bill sent from the Lords. †c. To entice away (a person) from service, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (transitive)] > entice or seduce > from allegiance or a master seduce1477 embezzle1579 subducec1600 1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin xiii. 752 He would be a conuenient instrument to embeasell from the armie of Franciscomaria, the bandes of Gascoins. 1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie v. iii. sig. H3 I had rather thou shouldest rob my chest, than imbesell my sonne. †2. To weaken, impair, diminish. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > affect detrimentally > impair the action or effectiveness of maimc1395 appale?1530 embezzle1566 weaken1639 cripple1694 derange1776 enfeeble1860 bosh1870 dent1931 1566 T. Drant in tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. D And so imbecill all theyr strengthe, That they are naught to me. 1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Appetisser, to diminish, to lessen, to imbesill. 1610 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 121 Whereby the Quene's Majesties custome..maye..be..empayred..or embeselled. 1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo 307 The Kings or Princes Valuation is effected..by embeasiling the standard of money, by allay. 1636 D. Featley Clavis Mystica lxx. 892 Our luxury hath imbezelled us. 1657 tr. B. Valentinus Last Will & Test. i. xxxvii. 65 Have a respect to the upper Scaffolds,..that they be not imbezled. †3. To impair or diminish by waste or extravagance; to squander, dissipate (property, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > squandering or prodigality > squander [verb (transitive)] forspendc893 scatter1154 dispend1303 waste1340 misspendc1390 miswastec1400 consumec1425 waste1474 profund1527 lasha1535 prodige1538 lavish1542 to play away1562 riot1566 embezzle1578 dilapidate1590 squander1593 confound1598 to make ducks and drakes of or withc1600 prodigalize1611 profuse1611 squander1611 paddle1616 bezzle1617 to run out of ——1622 to piss away1628 prodigal1628 decoct1629 to bangle (away)1632 debauch1632 deboise1632 to fribble away1633 to fool out1635 to run outa1640 to fiddle away1667 slattera1681 dissipate1682 to play off1693 duck-and-drake1700 liquidate1702 sparkle away1703 waster1821 befool1861 to frivol away1866 to play (at) duck and drake with1872 to fling away1873 mislive1887 slather1904 mucker1928 profligate1938 peter1956 spaff2002 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (transitive)] > waste spilla1000 scatter1154 aspilla1250 rospa1325 waste1340 spend1390 consumec1425 waste1474 miswenda1500 forsumea1510 to cast away1530 to throw away1561 embezzle1578 squander1593 palter1595 profuse1611 squander1611 ravel1614 sport1622 to fool away1628 to stream out1628 to fribble away1633 sweal1655 frisk1665 to fiddle away1667 wantonize1673 slattera1681 swattle1681 drivel1686 swatter1690 to muddle away1707 squander1717 sot1746 slattern1747 meisle1808 fritter1820 waster1821 slobber1837 to cut to waste1863 fringe1863 potter1883 putter1911 profligate1938 to piddle away1942 haemorrhage1978 spaff2002 α. 1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 26 Nature..would not..for the insertion of Muscles..embicill, and wast so much of the bones. 1624 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy (ed. 2) iii. ii. v. v. 454 He hath embeazled his estate. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall iii. 37 Fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Countrey. 1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 26 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1477 At Rome..it is not the fashion..to embezzle at least half of it [sc. the day] at table. 1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) II. 901/1 His fortune, which had been so much embezzled. β. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iii. xv. 179 When they haue with riot and prodigality, embezelled their estates.1679 J. Goodman Penitent Pardoned (1713) i. iv. 99 He wastes and imbezils the very talents and abilities God had endowed him with.1683 J. Crowne City Politiques ii. 24 I have Imbezell'd all the Furniture of my Soul and body in vice. 4. (The only current sense.) To divert to one's own use (money, etc.) in violation of trust or official duty. [At first apparently a contextual use of 1 and 3; in early examples not distinguishable from one or the other of these.] ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > embezzlement or misappropriation > embezzle or misappropriate [verb (transitive)] purloinc1475 embezzle1585 intervert1600 peculate1715 misappropriate1825 eat1849 to knock downa1854 malversate1881 α. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxviii. i. 1016 The Tribunes..proceeded to charge him..for embezzeling and averting to his proper use certeine treasure gotten from King Antiochus. 1783 E. Burke in 11th Rep. Select Comm. Admin. Justice Bengal, Bahar & Orissa 15 His Fortune as grossly mismanaged and embezzled. 1833 T. B. Macaulay War Succession in Spain in Ess. (1854) I. 249/1 Bellasys, the English General, embezzled the stores. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 363 The rapacious governor had daily opportunities of embezzling and extorting. β. 1585 Fleetwood in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 301 To steale and imbesell any thinge in his charge this is felonye.1613 H. Finch Law (1636) 211 The seruant that hath any goods..deliuered him to keepe by his Master and..doth..imbezle, or conuert the same to his own vse, the same, shall be judged a theefe.1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures viii. 24 That Mahometan, who had imbezzled away a great part of the goods committed to his charge. 5. Used by Shelton to render the like-sounding Spanish embelesar, to bewilder, stupefy [compare bezzle v.] ΚΠ 1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote ii. liii. 357 Sancho was astonish't and embeseld with what he heard & saw. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < v.1469
随便看	to bumble along to bump along the bottom to bump and bore to bump into to bump nasties to bump off to bump pussies to bump uglies to bump up to bung up the eyes to bunk down to bunk it to burden out to burn a bowl to burn a building down to burn a country tire-room tire-screw tire-setter tire-shrinker tire-smith tire-tête tire-upsetting-machine tire-woman tireball