Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-FAL'CATE, v.t. [Fr. defalquer; It. defalcare; Sp. desfalcar; Port. desfalcar; from L. defalco; de and falco, from falx, a sickle.]

To cut off; to take away or deduct a part; used chiefly of money, accounts, rents, income, &c.