defection

[ dih-fek-shuhn ]

/ dɪˈfɛk ʃən /

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noun

desertion from allegiance, loyalty, duty, or the like; apostasy: His defection to East Germany was regarded as treasonable.

failure; lack; loss: He was overcome by a sudden defection of courage.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of defection

1535–45; < Latin dēfectiōn- (stem of dēfectiō), equivalent to dēfect(us) (see defect) + -iōn- -ion

ANTONYMS FOR defection

1. loyalty.

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Related formsnon·de·fec·tion, nounre·de·fec·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for defection

At the time of his defection, he felt a strong need to get out of Cuba, and accomplished just that.
Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar|Daniel Levin|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Habib has yet to appear publicly, and Syrian state media denied the defection, insisting that Habib was still at home.
Fearful of a U.S. Strike, Defectors Flee the Syrian Army|Mike Giglio|September 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A leader in the movement, Picciolini was able to frame his defection as a retirement.
Derek Black, the Reluctant Racist, and His Exit From White Nationalism|Caitlin Dickson|July 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Kristol's defection from the pro-plutocracy wing of the GOP is an interesting indicator that, yes, change is in the air.
Rejecting the Journal's Plutocratic Tax Advice|David Frum|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

That defection sparked a massive political crisis the party has desperately wanted to resolve before the leadership transition.
Communist Party Expels Bo Xilai, Who Now Faces Trial|Dan Levin|September 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
On the 8th, there was a defection of a different kind, but yet sensible.
A Footnote to History|Robert Louis Stevenson
Yet it may well be that in his defection we have to see a stage in the transition from Welf to Guelf.
Dante: His Times and His Work|Arthur John Butler
After Uchida's defection old Kano remained constantly at home.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa
Plunkett, having heard of this, promptly took measures to avert the defection of his good friends on the Run.
The Graysons|Edward Eggleston
She thought her Italian possessions secure, even in case of the defection of the Sardinian king.
The Empire of Austria; Its Rise and Present Power|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for defection

defection

/ (dɪˈfɛkʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of defecting

abandonment of duty, allegiance, principles, etc; backsliding

another word for defect (def. 1), defect (def. 2)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for defection

defection

1540s, "action of failing;" 1550s, "action of deserting a party, leader, etc." from Latin defectionem (nominative defectio) "desertion, revolt, failure," noun of action from past participle stem of deficere (see deficient). Originally used often of faith.