də̇ˈfalˌkāt, dēˈ-, -fȯl-, ˈdēˌ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷; ˈdefəlˌ-; usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin defalcatus, past participle of defalcare, from Latin de- + falc-, falx sickle
transitive verb
1. archaic : to cut off : lop off
2. archaic : to reduce by taking away a part : curtail
intransitive verb
: to take money committed to one's charge