(ˌ)dēˌfalˈkāshən, də̇ˌ-, -fȯl-, ˌdefəl- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin defalcation-, defalcatio, from defalcatus + Latin -ion-, -io -ion
1. archaic : a lopping off : curtailment
sadly puzzled at the defalcation of more than one-third of my income — Charles Lamb
2. obsolete : something lopped of : deduction
3.
a. : misappropriation of money in one's keeping
b. : a sum of money so misappropriated
4. : a falling away : defection : a failure to meet a promise or an expectation