defalcate

views updated May 23 2018

de·fal·cate / diˈfalkāt; -ˈfôl-/ • v. [tr.] formal embezzle (funds with which one has been entrusted): charged with defalcating government money.DERIVATIVES: de·fal·ca·tion / ˌdēfalˈkāshən; -fôl-/ n.de·fal·ca·tor / -kātər/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

defalcate

views updated May 14 2018

defalcate †lop off, retrench, deduct XV; commit defalcation XIX. f. pp. stem of medL. dēfalcāre, f. DE- 2 + L. falx, falc- sickle, scythe; see -ATE 3.
So defalcation †diminution, reduction XV; fraudulent monetary deficiency XVIII. — medL.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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