Hypertext Webster Gateway: "defalcate"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Defalcate \De*fal"cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defalcated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Defalcating}.] [LL. defalcatus, p. p. of
defalcare to deduct, orig., to cut off with a sickle; L. de-
+ falx, falcis, a sickle. See {Falchion}.]
To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of; -- used chiefly
of money, accounts, rents, income, etc.
To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated
from them [the estimates]. --Burke.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Defalcate \De*fal"cate\, v. i.
To commit defalcation; to embezzle money held in trust.
``Some partner defalcating, or the like.'' --Carlyle.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
defalcate
v : appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care)
fraudulently to one's own use; "The accountant embezzled
thousands of dollars while working for the wealthy
family" [syn: {embezzle}, {peculate}, {misappropriate}]
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