defalcate Meaning & Definition
[ˈdɛfəɫkeɪt]
What Does Defalcate Mean?
Defalcate is used as a verb meaning To misappropriate funds; to embezzle. It is also used to mean To cut off (a part of something). To deduct or take away (a part of income, money, rents, etc.).
Defalcate in Brief
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈdɛfəɫkeɪt/ |
| Verb forms | defalcates, defalcating, defalcated |
Defalcate Definition (Verb)
- To misappropriate funds; to embezzle.
- To cut off (a part of something). To deduct or take away (a part of income, money, rents, etc.).
- To cut off (a part of something).
- To deduct or take away (a part of income, money, rents, etc.).
Verb
- To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of (money, rents, income, etc.).
Synonyms of Defalcate
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Defalcate synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
defalcate (third-person singular simple present defalcates, present participle defalcating, simple past and past participle defalcated)
Origin of Defalcate
First attested in the 1530s, in the sense “to lop off”; borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfalcātus, perfect passive participle of dēfalcō (“to cut or lop off”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)),[1] from Latin dē (“off”) + falx (“sickle, scythe, pruning hook”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).[2]