defalcation

[ dee-fal-key-shuh n, -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

Related formsnon·de·fal·ca·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for defalcation

The steward set it on fire to conceal the defalcation in the crop.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai
Tell him also that I do not find the defalcation amongst our friends to be as was represented in Dublin.
Notes and Queries, Number 180, April 9, 1853|Various
Defalcation—The appropriating to one's own use, of money intrusted to him by another; embezzlement.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 4|Various
Because of the defalcation of her lawyer, she is in financial straits.
Dramatic Technique|George Pierce Baker

No,” admitted Mr Carlyle; “our business lies mostly on the conventional lines among divorce and defalcation.
Max Carrados|Ernest Bramah

Word Origin and History for defalcation

defalcation

mid-15c., from Medieval Latin defalcationem (nominative defalcatio), noun of action from past participle stem of defalcare, from de- + Latin falx, falcem "sickle, scythe, pruning hook."