defalcate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
    embezzle; misappropriate; malversate; peculate.
    • The accountant embezzled thousands of dollars while working for the wealthy family

WordNet

De*fal"cate transitive verb
Etymology
LL. defalcatus, p. p. of defalcare to deduct, orig., to cut off with a sickle; L. de- + falx, a sickle. See Falchion.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Defalcated; present participle & verbal noun Defalcating
Definitions
  1. To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of; -- used chiefly of money, accounts, rents, income, etc.
    To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated from the [the estimates]. Burke.
De*fal"cate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To commit defalcation; to embezzle money held in trust. "Some partner defalcating, or the like." Carlyle.

Webster 1913