misappropriation

misappropriation
    n 1: the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted
         to your care but actually owned by someone else [syn:
         {embezzlement}, {peculation}, {defalcation},
         {misapplication}, {misappropriation}]
    2: wrongful borrowing; "his explanation was a misappropriation
       of sociological theory"
    

Misappropriation \Mis`ap*pro`pri*a"tion\, n.
   Wrong appropriation; wrongful use.
   [1913 Webster]
    

32 Moby Thesaurus words for "misappropriation":
      abuse, abuse of office, befoulment, conversion,
      corrupt administration, debasement, defalcation, defilement,
      desecration, diversion, embezzlement, fouling, maladministration,
      malfeasance, malpractice, malversation, misapplication, misconduct,
      misemployment, misfeasance, mishandling, mismanagement, misusage,
      misuse, peculation, perversion, pilfering, pollution,
      poor stewardship, profanation, prostitution, violation