defect

[dee-fekt, dih-fekt, dih-fekt]

noun

1. a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in a machine.

   a defect in an argument;

   a defect in a machine.

2. lack or want, especially of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency: a defect of action.

   a defect of common sense

   a defect of action.

3. Also called lattice defect. Also called crystal defect,. Crystallography.,  a discontinuity in the lattice of a crystal caused by missing or extra atoms or ions, or by dislocations.

verb (used without object)

1. to desert a cause, country, etc., especially in order to adopt another (often followed by from orto ).

   He defected from the U.S.S.R. to the West.

defect

noun

1. a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency

2. an imperfection, failing, or blemish

3. crystallog a local deviation from regularity in the crystal lattice of a solid See also point defect dislocation

verb

1. (intr) to desert one's country, cause, allegiance, etc, esp in order to join the opposing forces

Other Word Forms

• defector noun
• defectible adjective
• defectibility noun
• defectless adjective
• nondefecting adjective
• predefect noun
• redefect verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of defect¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin dēfectus “failure, weakness,” equivalent to dēfec-, variant stem of dēficere “to run short, fail, weaken” ( deficient ) + -tus suffix of verb action

Word History and Origins

Origin of defect¹

C15: from Latin dēfectus, from dēficere to forsake, fail; see _deficient

Synonym Study

Defect, blemish, flaw refer to faults that detract from perfection. Defect is the general word for any kind of shortcoming or imperfection, whether literal or figurative: a defect in eyesight, in a plan. A blemish is usually a defect on a surface, which mars the appearance: a blemish on her cheek. Flaw is applied to a defect in quality, caused by imperfect structure (as in a diamond) or brought about during manufacture (as in texture of cloth, in clearness of glass, etc.).

Example Sentences

The bank’s systems for risk management, compliance and internal directives had considerable defects at the time, the office said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It comes one month after councillor Daniel Jellyman, the Conservative group leader on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, also defected to Reform UK and became the party's leader on the local authority.

Read more on BBC

Despite this, the agency advises against its use for women and girls who could become pregnant because of the potential for birth defects.

Read more on Science Daily

Researchers at Aarhus University have uncovered a flaw in how cells form what are known as exosomes, and this defect is associated with a mutation found in some people living with dementia.

Read more on Science Daily

Whaite explained he has bulimia, an eating disorder, and body dysmorphia, where a person perceives defects in their own body which are often less noticeable to others.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bug 
• crack 
• deficiency 
• deformity 
• error 
• fault 
• flaw 
• glitch 
• injury 
• irregularity 
• lack 
• mistake 
• shortage 
• shortcoming 
• weakness