In literary texts, the word "defalcate" is typically employed in a financial or administrative context to denote the misappropriation or embezzlement of funds. For instance, in Burke’s discussion of historical financial records, the term is used to question whether more funds were misdirected during a particular period compared to an earlier one, suggesting a critical examination of fiscal management over time [1]. This use underscores the word’s association with accountability and regulatory scrutiny in contexts that address the proper handling of public or institutional finances.