defalcation

[ dee-fal-key-shuhn, -fawl- ]

/ ˌdi fælˈkeɪ ʃən, -fɔl- /

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noun Law.

misappropriation of money or funds held by an official, trustee, or other fiduciary.

the sum misappropriated.

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Origin of defalcation

1425–75; late Middle English: deduction from wages (<Middle French ) <Medieval Latin dēfalcātiōn- (stem of dēfalcātiō) a taking away, equivalent to dēfalcāt(us) (see defalcate) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM defalcation

non·de·fal·ca·tion, noun

Words nearby defalcation

deface, de facto, de facto segregation, defaecate, defalcate, defalcation, defamation, defamatory, defame, defamiliarization, defang

How to use defalcation in a sentence

"They're not so frequent as defalcation with us, quite—especially birth," suggested Bellingham.
The Quality of Mercy|W. D. Howells
But I will never suffer the sacred name of economy to be bestowed upon arbitrary defalcation of charge.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. I. (of 12)|Edmund Burke
Because of the defalcation of her lawyer, she is in financial straits.
Dramatic Technique|George Pierce Baker
His cashier, who is secretly engaged to marry Miss Van Gorder's niece, is suspected of the defalcation and is a fugitive.
A Christmas Carol|C. Z. Barnett

First, diversion of the public funds to his own use,—embezzlement or defalcation we should call it.
The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 13, No. 78, April, 1864|Various