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insufficiency - 4 dictionary results

in⋅suf⋅fi⋅cien⋅cy

   [in-suh-fish-uhn-see]
–noun, plural -cies for 2.
1. deficiency in amount, force, power, competence, or fitness; inadequacy: insufficiency of supplies.
2. an instance of this.
3. inability of an organ or other part of the body to function normally: cardiac insufficiency.
Also, in⋅suf⋅fi⋅cience.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < LL insufficientia. See insufficient, -ency
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·suf·fi·cien·cy     (ĭn'sə-fĭsh'ən-sē)  Pronunciation Key 
n.   pl. in·suf·fi·cien·cies
  1. The quality or state of being insufficient, especially:
    1. Moral or mental incompetence.
    2. Inadequate supply: an insufficiency of funds.
    3. Inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally: cardiac insufficiency.
  2. A failing; an inadequacy: pointed out the insufficiencies in my report.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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insufficiency

noun
1. a lack of competence; "pointed out the insufficiencies in my report"; "juvenile offenses often reflect an inadequacy in the parents" 
2. (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally 
3. lack of an adequate quantity or number; "the inadequacy of unemployment benefits" [ant: adequacy] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Insufficiency

In`suf*fi"cien*cy\, n. [L. insufficientia: cf. F. insuffisance, whence OE. insuffisance. See Insufficient.]

1. The quality or state of being insufficient; want of sufficiency; deficiency; inadequateness; as, the insufficiency of provisions, of an excuse, etc.

The insufficiency of the light of nature is, by the light of Scripture, . . . fully supplied. --Hooker.

2. Want of power or skill; inability; incapacity; incompetency; as, the insufficiency of a man for an office.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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