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Defalcate: meaning, definitions and examples

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defalcate

 

[ dɪˈfælkeɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

financial misconduct

To defalcate means to misappropriate or embezzle funds entrusted to one's care, especially in a financial or official capacity. It often involves taking money or property that one is not entitled to, typically in violation of a fiduciary duty.

Synonyms

divert, embezzle, misappropriate, misuse

Examples of usage

  • The accountant was found guilty of defalcating company funds.
  • She was charged with defalcation after the audit revealed discrepancies.
  • The defalcation of funds led to a major financial scandal.

Translations

Translations of the word "defalcate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 defalcar

🇮🇳 धन की हेराफेरी करना

🇩🇪 unterschlagen

🇮🇩 menggelapkan

🇺🇦 зловживати

🇵🇱 defraudować

🇯🇵 横領する

🇫🇷 détourner des fonds

🇪🇸 defraudar

🇹🇷 zimmetine geçirmek

🇰🇷 횡령하다

🇸🇦 اختلاس

🇨🇿 zneužít

🇸🇰 zneužívať

🇨🇳 侵占

🇸🇮 zlorabiti

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 алаяқтық жасау

🇬🇪 განკარგვა

🇦🇿 dələduzluq etmək

🇲🇽 defraudar

Etymology

The term 'defalcate' originates from the Latin word 'defalcatus', which is the past participle of 'defalcare', meaning 'to cut off'. The word 'defalcare' itself comes from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'from, down from' and 'falcis', meaning 'sickle' or 'scythe', representing the idea of cutting away or removing. In the 17th century, 'defalcate' began to be used in English legal and financial contexts, describing the act of withholding or misappropriating funds in a position of trust. Over time, the usage of the term expanded to encompass various forms of financial misconduct, particularly in relation to fiduciary obligations. It has since been commonly employed in legal and financial discussions, emphasizing the severity of financial dishonesty.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,064, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.