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deficits - 2 dictionary results

def⋅i⋅cit

  [def-uh-sit; Brit. also di-fis-it]
Use deficits in a Sentence
–noun
1. the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.
2. the amount by which expenditures or liabilities exceed income or assets.
3. a lack or shortage; deficiency.
4. a disadvantage, impairment, or handicap: The team's major deficit is its poor pitching.
5. a loss, as in the operation of a business.
Origin:
1775–85; < L dēficit (it) lacks, 3rd pers. sing. pres. indic. of dēficere; see deficient
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To deficits
def·i·cit   (děf'ĭ-sĭt)   
n.  
    1. Inadequacy or insufficiency: a deficit in grain production.
    2. A deficiency or impairment in mental or physical functioning.
    3. An unfavorable condition or position; a disadvantage: rallied from a three-game deficit to win the playoffs.
    4. The amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required or expected amount; a shortage: large budget deficits.
    5. A business loss.
    1. The amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required or expected amount; a shortage: large budget deficits.
    2. A business loss.

[French déficit, from Latin dēficit, it is lacking, third person sing. present tense of dēficere, to fail, be lacking; see defect.]
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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