defalcate

1 of 2

verb

de·​fal·​cate di-ˈfal-ˌkāt 

-ˈfȯl-, 

dē-;

ˈde-fəl- 

defalcated; defalcating

transitive verb

archaic : deduct, curtail

intransitive verb

law

: to intentionally or recklessly misuse funds in violation of a fiduciary duty

defalcator

di-ˈfal-ˌkā-tər 

-ˈfȯl-, 

dē-;

ˈde-fəl-

noun

defalcator

2 of 2

noun

de·​fal·​ca·​tor pronunciation at defalcate +ə(r) 

plural -s

: one guilty of breach of trust especially in money matters : defaulter

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1541, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for defalcate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Legal Definition

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