defalcation

[ dee-fal-key-shuh n, -fawl- ]
/ ˌdi fælˈkeɪ ʃən, -fɔl- /

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

Example sentences from the Web for defalcation