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Dictionary Language resources

defalcate

Syllabification: (de·fal·cate)

Pronunciation: /diˈfalkāt, -ˈfôl-/

Definition of defalcate

verb

[with object] formal

embezzle (funds with which one has been entrusted):the officials were charged with defalcating government money

Derivatives

defalcation
defalcator

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'deduct, subtract'): from medieval Latin defalcat- 'lopped', from the verb defalcare, from de- 'away from, off' + Latin falx, falc- 'sickle'