Embezzlement

Noun

Definition: Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.

Synonyms: Theft, Misappropriation, Fraud

Antonyms: Honesty, Integrity, Transparency

Examples:
  • The CEO was arrested for embezzlement after stealing millions from the company.
  • The accountant was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to prison.
Mnemonics:
  • Remember "embezzlement" by breaking it down into "em" (like "exit" or "away") and "bezzle" (sounds like "basil" or "basil leaves" used in cooking). Imagine someone taking away or stealing basil leaves from a kitchen.
  • Think of "embezzlement" as "em-bezzlement," with "bezzlement" rhyming with "settlement." Imagine someone fraudulently settling funds for their own benefit.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "embezzlement" comes from the Middle English word "embezell," which means "to steal." It is derived from the Anglo-French word "embe(s)ler," which means "to make away with property." The French word has its roots in the Old Provençal word "bazlar," meaning "to ravage" or "to steal."

Historical Usage:

The concept of embezzlement has been present throughout history, with cases of individuals unlawfully misusing entrusted funds dating back many centuries.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Embezzlement of trust"

Explanation:

This phrase emphasizes the betrayal of trust that occurs when someone commits embezzlement. It refers to the breach of confidence placed in an individual who is expected to handle funds or resources responsibly.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing embezzlement with other forms of theft such as robbery or burglary.

Explanation:

While theft, robbery, and burglary involve the unlawful acquisition of someone else's property, embezzlement specifically refers to the misappropriation of funds entrusted to an individual, usually in a professional or fiduciary capacity. Embezzlement does not involve the use of force or illegal entry, unlike robbery or burglary.

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