defects
Use Defects 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 defects
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Defects
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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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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Example sentences
There are many cases of birth defects and cancer in the families of farmworkers.
It is now working along regularly at the rate of a mile a day, and it will do better when several small defects are remedied.
Cancers can start in almost any body cell, due to damage or defects in genes involved in cell division.
There are defects in the material that cause dislocations.
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