embezzle
UK[ɪmˈbɛz(ə)l]US[ɪmˈbɛz(ə)l]
v
To steal money or property that you are responsible for, especially from your employer.
Etymology
The word 'embezzle' has a murky but vivid origin, entering Middle English from the Anglo-Norman legal term embesiler. Its core likely lies in an Old French verb, besillier, which carried the brutal senses of tormenting, destroying, or pillaging. The addition of the intensive prefix en- (in) transformed it into a specific term for the fraudulent appropriation of goods entrusted to one's care. Over centuries, its meaning narrowed from general destruction and plunder to the precise, stealthy crime of misappropriating funds by someone in a position of trust, reflecting a legal and societal focus on fiduciary responsibility.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. It entered English from Anglo-Norman embesiler, meaning to make away with, steal, destroy. This likely derived from Old French besillier, meaning to torment, destroy, pillage, of uncertain origin. The prefix en- (in) was added, altering to em- before 'b'.
Examples
The accountant was caught trying to embezzle funds from the company pension plan.
He was convicted for using his position to embezzle over a million dollars.
Strict internal controls are necessary to prevent employees from being able to embezzle money.