DEFALCATE

defalcate. Defalcate, v.t. to cut or lop off, prune, abridge

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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. To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated from them . Burke.