palter
[verb]
Synonyms: lie, equivocate, falsify, fib, prevaricate, haggle, bargain, chaffer, dicker, higgle, huckster

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Related Idioms: play false, play fast and loose
Related Words: evade, fence

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

palter verb. ['pɔ:ltǝ] M16.
[Origin unkn.]
1. verb intrans. & trans. Speak or say indistinctly or idly; mumble, babble. M16-L19.

2. verb trans. Squander. E17-E18.

3. verb intrans.
a. Equivocate or prevaricate in speech or action; deal crookedly or evasively; use trickery. Usu. foll. by with. E17.
■ Sir W. Scott If you palter or double in your answers, I will have thee hung alive.
b. Haggle, bargain, esp. in a matter of duty or honour. E17.
■ Dickens Hatred of the girl who had dared to palter with strangers.
c. Deal flippantly, trifle, with. E19.
Nature It would..be paltering with the truth to pretend that our activities do as much.

■ palterer noun L16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲