definitions

defalcate

[ dih-fal-keyt, -fawl- ]
/ dɪˈfæl keɪt, -ˈfɔl- /
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verb (used without object), de·fal·cat·ed, de·fal·cat·ing. Law.

to be guilty of defalcation.

RELATED WORDS

embezzle, misuse, plunder, misspend, swindle, bereave, raid, cheat, lose, mug, defraud, strip, divest, loot, hijack, ransack, misappropriate, pilfer, purloin, filch

Nearby words

deets, def, def., deface, defaecate, defalcate, defalcation, defamation, defamatory, defame, defamiliarization

Origin of defalcate

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

Related forms

de·fal·ca·tor, nounun·de·fal·cat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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British Dictionary definitions for defalcate

defalcate

/ (ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

defalcation, noundefalcator, noun

Word Origin for defalcate

C15: from Medieval Latin dēfalcāre to cut off, from Latin de- + falx sickle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012