from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Defalcate \De*fal"cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defalcated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Defalcating}.] [LL. defalcatus, p. p. of
defalcare to deduct, orig., to cut off with a sickle; L. de-
+ falx, falcis, a sickle. See {Falchion}.]
To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of; -- used chiefly
of money, accounts, rents, income, etc.
[1913 Webster]
To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated
from them [the estimates]. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]