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

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

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

Jones was elected for the Conservatives in 2021 to serve South Wales East - she defected at the Royal Welsh Show in the summer.

From BBC

In another surprise move, he broke off from his speech to introduce Nadine Dorris, who defected to Reform on Thursday, to make a brief speech.

From BBC

Simpson told journalists that many would not be surprised to see him defect, and that leaving the Conservatives was "an enormous wrench".

From BBC

“The likelihood of a minor defect is almost 100 percent,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The work on the Wentbridge Viaduct and Wentedge Road Bridge was meant to be finished by summer 2024, but after defects were discovered, the completion date was pushed back to the end of this year.

From BBC

Related Words

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