Possibility of defailance in degree or continuance.
Comber.
De*fail"ure (?), n. Failure. [Obs.] Barrow.
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 [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.