defection
[dih-fek-shuh n]
- 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.
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Origin of defection
Antonyms
1. loyalty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for defection
Contemporary Examples
At the time of his defection, he felt a strong need to get out of Cuba, and accomplished just that.
But Habib has yet to appear publicly, and Syrian state media denied the defection, insisting that Habib was still at home.
A leader in the movement, Picciolini was able to frame his defection as a retirement.
Kristol's defection from the pro-plutocracy wing of the GOP is an interesting indicator that, yes, change is in the air.
That defection sparked a massive political crisis the party has desperately wanted to resolve before the leadership transition.
Historical Examples
Who would have returned as you have returned to advise me of the defection of my grooms?
The Shame of MotleyRaphael Sabatini
Not only by defection of our own, but by the force of arms of another.
Love-at-ArmsRaphael Sabatini
The defection of his old instructor in wood-lore disturbed him.
The Vagrant DukeGeorge Gibbs
He thought not; indeed, she did not seem to retain any memory of his defection.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2)Charles James Lever
What would make their defection more certain was the irregularity of pay.
The Siege of BostonAllen French
defection
- the act or an instance of defecting
- abandonment of duty, allegiance, principles, etc; backsliding
- another word for defect (def. 1), defect (def. 2)
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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
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper