Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

defect from

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅fect

  [n. dee-fekt, di-fekt; v. di-fekt]
Use defect from in a Sentence
–noun
1. a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in an argument; a defect in a machine.
2. lack or want, esp. of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency: a defect in hearing.
3. 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)
4. to desert a cause, country, etc., esp. in order to adopt another (often fol. by from or to): He defected from the U.S.S.R to the West.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L dēfectus failure, weakness, equiv. to dēfec- var. s. of dēficere to run short, fail, weaken (see deficient ) + -tus suffix of v. action

Related forms:
de⋅fect⋅i⋅ble, adjective
de⋅fect⋅i⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
de⋅fect⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
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 Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To defect from
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·fect
Pronunciation: 'dE-"fekt, di-'fekt
Function: noun
: something or a lack of something that results in incompleteness, inadequacy, or imperfection: as a : a flaw in something (as a product) esp. that creates an unreasonable risk of harm in its normal use —see also LATENT DEFECT b : an error or omission in a court document (as an indictment or pleading) c : some imperfection in the chain of title to property that makes the title unmarketable —de·fec·tive /di-'fek-tiv/ adjective —de·fec·tive·ly adverb —de·fec·tive·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: de·fect
Pronunciation: 'dE-"fekt, di-'
Function: noun
: a lack or deficiency of something necessary for adequacy in form or function defect>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

defect de·fect (dē'fěkt', dĭ-fěkt')
n.
A lack of or abnormality in something necessary for normal functioning; a deficiency or imperfection.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see defect from on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way