defalcation

[ dee-fal-key-shuhn, -fawl- ]

/ ˌdi fælˈkeɪ ʃən, -fɔl- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR defalcation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Law.

misappropriation of money or funds held by an official, trustee, or other fiduciary.

the sum misappropriated.

Origin of defalcation

1425–75; late Middle English: deduction from wages (<Middle French ) <Medieval Latin dēfalcātiōn- (stem of dēfalcātiō) a taking away, equivalent to dēfalcāt(us) (see defalcate) + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM defalcation

non·de·fal·ca·tion, noun

Words nearby defalcation

deface, de facto, de facto segregation, defaecate, defalcate, defalcation, defamation, defamatory, defame, defamiliarization, defang

Example sentences from the Web for defalcation

The steward set it on fire to conceal the defalcation in the crop.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai
Tell him also that I do not find the defalcation amongst our friends to be as was represented in Dublin.
Notes and Queries, Number 180, April 9, 1853|Various
Defalcation—The appropriating to one's own use, of money intrusted to him by another; embezzlement.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 4|Various
Because of the defalcation of her lawyer, she is in financial straits.
Dramatic Technique|George Pierce Baker

No,” admitted Mr Carlyle; “our business lies mostly on the conventional lines among divorce and defalcation.
Max Carrados|Ernest Bramah