falcate adj.

1530s, "to lop off, take away or deduct a part of," from Medieval Latin defalcatus, past participle of defalcare, from de "off, away" (see de-) + Latin falx, falcem "sickle, scythe, pruning hook" (see falcate). Modern scientific use dates from 1808.

mid-15c., "act of cutting off or deducting a part" (originally in reference to withholding wages), from Old French defalcation and directly from Medieval Latin defalcationem (nominative defalcatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of defalcare, from de "off, away" (see de-) + Latin falx, falcem "sickle, scythe, pruning hook" (see falcate). Sense of "a monetary deficiency through breach of trust by one who has charge of funds belonging to others" is by 1846.