defalcate

[ dih-fal-keyt, -fawl- ]

verb (used without object)

, Law.

, de·fal·cat·ed, de·fal·cat·ing.

1. to be guilty of defalcation.

defalcate

/ ˈdiːfælˌkeɪt /

verb

1. intr law to misuse or misappropriate property or funds entrusted to one

Derived Forms

• ˈdefalˌcator, noun
• ˌdefalˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• de·falca·tor noun
• unde·falcat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defalcate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of defalcate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin dēfalcāre to cut off, from Latin de- + falx sickle

Example Sentences

No one can defalcate in this particular; no one can Texas-ize and be quit of his transgressions and his onward travel.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bereave
• break into
• cheat
• defraud
• divest
• hijack
• loot
• lose
• mug
• plunder
• raid
• ransack
• strip