Prevarication, n.
Etymology: [L. praevaricatio: cf. F. prévarication.]
1. The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation from the truth and fair dealing. The august tribunal of the skies, where no prevarication shall avail. Cowper.
2. A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office.
3. (Law) (a) (Roman Law) The collusion of an informer with the defendant, for the purpose of making a sham prosecution. (b) (Common Law) A false or deceitful seeming to undertake a thing for the purpose of defeating or destroying it. Cowell.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for prevarication; he lists it under deception.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.