| 释义 |
defalcation|diːfælˈkeɪʃən|
[ad. med.L. dēfalcātiōn-em, n. of action from dēfalcāre: see prec. So mod.F. défalcation (18th c. in Hatzf.).]
†1. Diminution or reduction by taking away a part; cutting down, abatement, curtailment. Obs.
1476Will of Sir J. Crosby, An equall defalcacion or diminucion pounde poundelike penny pennylike and rate ratelike of all the legates aforesaide. 1526Househ. Ord. 139 To be corrected..by the checking and defalcation of their wages. 1611Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xii. (1632) 685 This treasonable defalcation and weakening of the royall meanes. 1650Fuller Pisgah 412 In such defalcation of measures by Cyrus allotted, he shewed little courtship to his master the Emperour. 1712Addison Spect. No. 488 ⁋2 The Tea Table shall be set forth every Morning with its Customary Bill of Fare, and without any manner of defalcation.
b. spec. Reduction of an account, claim, etc., by the amount of a counter-account or claim, allowed as a set-off.
1622Malynes Anc. Law-Merch. 117 The Factor is to haue the benefit of the Salt in defalcation of the said fraight. 1830C. Huston in Houk v. Foley 2 Pen. & W. (Pa.) 250 (Cent.) Defalcation is setting off another account or another contract—perhaps total want of consideration founded on fraud, imposition, or falsehood, is not defalcation: though, being relieved in the same way, they are blended.
2. The action or fact of cutting or lopping off or taking away; deduction. arch.
1624F. White Repl. Fisher 471 The defalcation of one kind is against the integritie of the substance of the Eucharist. 1652Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 145 If we be still our old selves..without defalcation of our corruptions, without addition of Grace. 1673Essex Papers (Camden) I. 147 To allow twelve thousand Pds to y⊇ Farmers, by way of defalcation, out of ther Rents for y⊇ Customs. 1684T. Burnet Th. Earth i. 285 If these deductions and defalcations be made. 1755N. Magens Insurances I. 440 His Majesty..will order the Defalcation of the Sum adjudged to his Subjects. a1832Bentham Mem. & Corr. Wks. 1843 X. 69 The stock of knowledge..from which, after a certain period [of life], large defalcations are every minute making by the scythe of Time.
b. A deduction; a diminution or abatement to which an amount (income, etc.) is liable, on account of debts or expenses. arch.
1621Burton Anat. Mel. Democr. to Rdr. 63 To defray this charge of wars, as also all other public defalcations, expenses, fees, pensions. 1622F. Markham Bk. War ii. iv. 55 After his debts and defaulcations are paid. 1690Boyle Chr. Virtuoso ii. 20 This inward Recompense is received, not only without any Defalcations, but with great improvements. 1701J. Law Counc. Trade (1751) 9 Repairs, risques, damages by fire and other defalcations. 1823Bentham Not Paul p. iii, A reprint..but with some defalcations, additions, and alterations.
3. Diminution suffered or sustained; falling off. arch.
1649Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. xi. i. §9 Nothing but a very great defalcation or ruin of a man's estate will..justify such a controversy. 1792Herschel in Phil. Trans. LXXXII. 27 The brightness of the moon, notwithstanding the great defalcation of light occasioned by the eclipse. 1793Ld. Auckland's Corr. II. 514 The duty, which last year produced 160,000l, is betted this year at under 50,000l; a terrible defalcation..especially after the falling off of the last quarter. 1801Wellesley in Owen Desp. 202 The causes of this increasing defalcation of revenue are manifest, and daily acquire new strength. 1831Brewster Optics xiv. 122 Its tint varied with the angle of incidence, and had some relation to the defalcation of colour in the prismatic images. 1844H. H. Wilson Brit. India III. 452 A serious defalcation of the public revenue was incurred.
4. Falling away, defection; shortcoming, failure, delinquency.
1750Carte Hist. Eng. II. 304 Its power would have been so much lessened by the defalcation of the vassal provinces. 1782F. Burney Cecilia (1820) III. 38 Defalcation of principle. 1820Lamb Elia Ser. i. Oxford in Vacation, I..could almost have wept the defalcation of Iscariot. 1822E. Nathan Langreath I. 192 Tears of..regret streamed down her cheeks at the defalcation of her vows to Dalton. 1839James Louis XIV IV. 158 The defalcation of one or two members from the league. 1868M. E. Braddon Run to Earth III. i. 16 Pointing out Reginald's neglect, all his defalcations, the cruelty of his conduct to her.
5. A monetary deficiency through breach of trust by one who has the management or charge of funds; a fraudulent deficiency in money matters; also concr. (in pl.), the amount so misappropriated.
1846Worcester, Defalcation, a breach of trust by one who has charge or management of money. [Not in Craig, 1847.] 1856E. A. Bond Russia at Close 16th C. (Hakluyt Soc.) Introd. 130 Although they had clamoured loudly of his defalcations..at the termination of his connection with them, the balance..was in his favour. 1866Morn. Star 20 Aug. 6/4 The ground of the action taken being an alleged defalcation to the extent of 11,000l. 1885Manch. Exam. 6 July 4/7 The prosecutors estimate the defalcations at about {pstlg}1,800. |