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defection

 - 2 dictionary results

de⋅fec⋅tion

  [di-fek-shuhn]
Use defection in a Sentence
–noun
1. desertion from allegiance, loyalty, duty, or the like; apostasy: His defection to East Germany was regarded as treasonable.
2. failure; lack; loss: He was overcome by a sudden defection of courage.
Origin:
1535–45; < L dēfectiōn- (s. of dēfectiō), equiv. to dēfect(us) (see defect ) + -iōn- -ion

Antonyms:
1. loyalty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To defection
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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