defect
[ noun dee-fekt, dih-fekt; verb dih-fekt ]
/ noun ˈdi fɛkt, dɪˈfɛkt; verb dɪˈfɛkt /
noun
a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in an argument; a defect in a machine.
lack or want, especially of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency: a defect in hearing.
Also called crystal defect, lattice 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)
to desert a cause, country, etc., especially in order to adopt another (often followed by from or to): He defected from the U.S.S.R to the West.
Words nearby defect
Origin of defect
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin dēfectus failure, weakness, equivalent to dēfec- variant stem of dēficere to run short, fail, weaken (see deficient) + -tus suffix of v. action
OTHER WORDS FROM defect
synonym study for defect
1. 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.).
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for defects
British Dictionary definitions for defects
defect
noun (dɪˈfɛkt, ˈdiːfɛkt)
a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency
an imperfection, failing, or blemish
crystallog a local deviation from regularity in the crystal lattice of a solidSee also point defect, dislocation (def. 3)
verb (dɪˈfɛkt)
(intr) to desert one's country, cause, allegiance, etc, esp in order to join the opposing forces
Derived forms of defect
defector, nounWord Origin for defect
C15: from Latin dēfectus, from dēficere to forsake, fail; see deficient
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medicine definitions for defects
defect
[ dē′fĕkt′, dĭ-fĕkt′ ]
n.
A lack of or abnormality in something necessary for normal functioning; a deficiency or imperfection.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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