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.
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
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.).
OTHER WORDS FROM defect
Words nearby defect
Example sentences from the Web for defect
British Dictionary definitions for defect
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 solid
See 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
Medical definitions for defect
defect
[ dē′fĕkt′, dĭ-fĕkt′ ]
n.
A lack of or abnormality in something necessary for normal functioning; a deficiency or imperfection.