defalcate

verb

de·​fal·​cate di-ˈfal-ˌkāt How to pronounce defalcate (audio)
-ˈfȯl-,
dē-;
ˈde-fəl- How to pronounce defalcate (audio)
defalcated; defalcating

intransitive verb

: to engage in embezzlement
defalcator
di-ˈfal-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce defalcate (audio)
-ˈfȯl-
dē-;
ˈde-fəl-
noun

Word History

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

Dictionary Entries Near defalcate

Cite this Entry

“Defalcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defalcate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

defalcate

intransitive verb
defalcated; defalcating
: to commit defalcation compare embezzle
defalcator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on defalcate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!