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defect

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de⋅fect

  [n. dee-fekt, di-fekt; v. di-fekt]
Use defect 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.).
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·fect   (dē'fěkt', dĭ-fěkt')   
n.  

  1. The lack of something necessary or desirable for completion or perfection; a deficiency: a visual defect.

  2. An imperfection that causes inadequacy or failure; a shortcoming. See Synonyms at blemish.

intr.v.   (dĭ-fěkt') de·fect·ed, de·fect·ing, de·fects

  1. To disown allegiance to one's country and take up residence in another: a Soviet citizen who defected to Israel.

  2. To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group: defected from the party over the issue of free trade.


[Middle English, from Latin dēfectus, failure, want, from past participle of dēficere, to desert, be wanting : dē-, de- + facere, to do; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
de·fec'tion n., de·fec'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

defect  (n.)
c.1420, from L. defectus "failure, revolt," from pp. of deficere "to fail, desert" (see deficient). Defection "falling away from a leader, party, or cause" is first recorded 1546, originally of faith. Defective was a euphemism for "mentally ill" from 1898 to c.1935.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Computing Dictionary

defect
bug

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Encyclopedia

defect

imperfection in the regular geometrical arrangement of the atoms in a crystalline solid. These imperfections result from deformation of the solid, rapid cooling from high temperature, or high-energy radiation (X-rays or neutrons) striking the solid. Located at single points, along lines, or on whole surfaces in the solid, these defects influence its mechanical, electrical, and optical behaviour.

Learn more about defect with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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