Part 98

To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated from them [the estimates].

Burke.

De*fal"cate, v. i. To commit defalcation; to embezzle money held in trust. "Some partner defalcating, or the like." Carlyle.

De`fal*ca"tion (?), n. [LL. defalcatio: cf. F. défalcation.] 1. A lopping off; a diminution; abatement; deficit. Specifically: Reduction of a claim by deducting a counterclaim; set- off. Abbott.

2. That which is lopped off, diminished, or abated.

3. An abstraction of money, etc., by an officer or agent having it in trust; an embezzlement.

Def"al*ca`tor (?), n. A defaulter or embezzler. [Modern]

De*falk" (?), v. t. [F. défalquer. See Defalcate.] To lop off; to abate. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Def`a*ma"tion (?), n. [OE. diffamacioun, F. diffamation. See Defame.] Act of injuring another's reputation by any slanderous communication, written or oral; the wrong of maliciously injuring the good name of another; slander; detraction; calumny; aspersion.

In modern usage, written defamation bears the title of libel, and oral defamation that of slander. Burrill.

De*fam"a*to*ry (?), a. Containing defamation; injurious to reputation; calumnious; slanderous; as, defamatory words; defamatory writings.

De*fame" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Defaming.] [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous); dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See Fame.] 1. To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.

2. To render infamous; to bring into disrepute.

My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.

Dryden.

3. To charge; to accuse. [R.]

Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight.

Sir W. Scott.

Syn. -- To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse.

De*fame", n. Dishonor. [Obs.] Chaucer.

De*fam"er (?), n. One who defames; a slanderer; a detractor; a calumniator.

De*fam"ing*ly, adv. In a defamatory manner.

Def"a*mous (?), a. Defamatory. [Obs.]

De*fat"i*ga*ble (?), a. [See Defatigate.] Capable of being wearied or tired out. [R.] Glanvill.

De*fat"i*gate (?), v. t. [L. defatigatus, p. p. of defatigare; de- + fatigare to weary. See Fatigue.] To weary or tire out; to fatigue. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.

De*fat`i*ga"tion (?), n. [L. defatigatio.] Weariness; fatigue. [R.] Bacon.

De*fault" (?), n. [OE. defaute, OF. defaute, defalte, fem., F. défaut, masc., LL. defalta, fr. a verb meaning, to be deficient, to want, fail, fr. L. de- + fallere to deceive. See Fault.] 1. A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governor's default.

2. Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom.