bezzle

Meanings

Verb

• To plunder; to lay waste to, in riot.
• To drink to excess; to revel.
• To squander.

Noun

• The level or proportion of financial sector activity that consists of hidden embezzlement, varying in step with the business cycle.
• The time between when a confidence trickster has stolen money from a unsuspecting person and when that person realizes the money has been stolen.

Origin

• From Middle English besilen, from Old French besiler, besillier; or shortened from English embezzle.
• Coined by John Kenneth Galbraith.