defalcate

verb

de·fal·cate di-ˈfal-ˌkāt

-ˈfȯl-,

dē-;

ˈde-fəl-

defalcated; defalcating

archaic : deduct, curtail

: to engage in embezzlement

defalcator

di-ˈfal-ˌkā-tər

-ˈfȯl-

dē-;

ˈde-fəl-

noun

Etymology

Medieval Latin defalcatus, past participle of defalcare, from Latin de- + falc-, falx sickle

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of defalcate was in 1541

See more words from the same year

Style

“Defalcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defalcate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

defalcate

intransitive verb

de·fal·cate di-ˈfal-ˌkāt, -ˈfȯl-, dē-; ˈde-fəl-ˌkāt

defalcated; defalcating

: to commit defalcation compare embezzle

defalcator

-ˌkā-tər

noun

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