defalcate

[dih-fal-keyt, -fawl-]

verb (used without object)

Law.

defalcated, defalcating 

1. to be guilty of defalcation.

defalcate

/ ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) law to misuse or misappropriate property or funds entrusted to one

Other Word Forms

• defalcator noun
• undefalcated adjective
• defalcation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defalcate¹

1530–40; < Medieval Latin dēfalcātus (past participle of dēfalcāre to cut off), equivalent to dē- de- + falcātus; falcate

Word History and Origins

Origin of defalcate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin dēfalcāre to cut off, from Latin _de- + falx sickle

Example Sentences

No one can defalcate in this particular; no one can Texas-ize and be quit of his transgressions and his onward travel.

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An embezzler can not defalcate in Nova Scotia, lightly skip into Manitoba and put both provinces to expense and technical trouble apprehending him.

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Carlyle to Emerson Chelsea, London, 8 December, 1839 My Dear Emerson,—What a time since we have written to one another! was it you that defalcated?

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The plasterers were hindered; the painters misunderstood orders; the paperers have defalcated, and the universe generally comes to a pause.

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Robespierre, on the extreme Left, with perhaps Petion and lean old Goupil, for the very Triumvirate has defalcated, are shrieking hoarse; drowned in Constitutional clamour.

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Related Words

• bereave 
• break into 
• cheat 
• defraud 
• divest 
• hijack 
• loot 
• lose 
• mug 
• plunder 
• raid 
• ransack 
• strip