defect

[ noun dee-fekt, dih-fekt; verb dih-fekt ]
See synonyms for defect on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: 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 common sense;a defect of action.

  1. Also called crys·tal de·fect, 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)
  1. 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

1
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” (see deficient) + -tus suffix of verb 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

  • de·fect·i·ble, adjective
  • de·fect·i·bil·i·ty [dih-fek-tuh-bil-i-tee], /dɪˌfɛk təˈbɪl ɪ ti/, noun
  • de·fect·less, adjective
  • non·de·fect·ing, adjective
  • pre·de·fect, noun
  • re·de·fect, verb (used without object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for defect

defect

noun(dɪˈfɛkt, ˈdiːfɛkt)
  1. a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency

  2. an imperfection, failing, or blemish

  1. crystallog a local deviation from regularity in the crystal lattice of a solid: See also point defect, dislocation (def. 3)

verb(dɪˈfɛkt)
  1. (intr) to desert one's country, cause, allegiance, etc, esp in order to join the opposing forces

Origin of defect

1
C15: from Latin dēfectus, from dēficere to forsake, fail; see deficient

Derived forms of defect

  • defector, noun

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