Defalcate

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: ˈdÉ›fəɫkeɪt

Origin

1530s, in sense “to lop off”, from Medieval Latin dēfalcātus, perfect passive participle of dēfalcō ("cut or lop off"),

Online Etymology Dictionary

from Latin dē ("off") + falx ("sickle, scythe, pruning hook"),

Online Etymology Dictionary|defalcation

from which also English falcate ("sickle-shaped").

Full definition of defalcate

Verb

1. (transitive) To misappropriate funds; to embezzle.
2. (transitive) To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of (money, rents, income, etc.).
• BurkeTo show what may be practicably and safely defalcated from the estimates.

Derived terms

• defalcation

Related terms

• falcate