defalcate

verb

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

transitive verb

archaic : deduct, curtail

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

defailance

defalcate

defalcation

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Defalcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defalcate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Legal Definition

defalcate

intransitive verb
de·​fal·​cate di-ˈfal-ˌkāt, -ˈfȯl-, dē-; ˈde-fəl-ˌkāt How to pronounce defalcate (audio)
defalcated; defalcating
: to commit defalcation compare embezzle
defalcator
-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce defalcate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on defalcate

Nglish: Translation of defalcate for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
turkey-looking-at-camera
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...