defect
Use Defect in a sentence
fɛkt, dɪˈfɛkt; 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 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., especially in order to adopt another (often followed by from or to ): He defected from the U.S.S.R to the West.
Origin:
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
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
Related forms
de·fect·i·ble, adjective
de·fect·i·bil·i·ty, noun
de·fect·less, adjective
non·de·fect·ing, adjective
pre·de·fect, noun
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.).
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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To defect
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Defect
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
| defect | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency |
| 2. | an imperfection, failing, or blemish |
| 3. | crystallog point defect See also dislocation a local deviation from regularity in the crystal lattice of a solid |
| —vb | |
| 4. | (intr) to desert one's country, cause, allegiance, etc, esp in order to join the opposing forces |
| [C15: from Latin dēfectus, from dēficere to forsake, fail; see | |
| de'fector | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
defect
early 15c., from L. defectus "failure, revolt," from pp. of deficere "to fail, desert" (see deficient).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
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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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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FOLDOC
Encyclopedia Britannica
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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Example sentences
And some elected opposition candidates are already thought eager to defect.
It suffices to know that indiscretion, in a position of such difficulty and delicacy, is a capital defect.
But when there is a defect in the program or hardware, then all the results the computer spews out tend to be wrong.
The company has not acknowledged a manufacturing defect.
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