First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1defect
noun de·fect \ˈdē-ˌfekt, di-ˈ\
: a physical problem that causes something to be less valuable, effective, healthy, etc.
: something that causes weakness or failure
Full Definition of DEFECT
1
a : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : shortcoming <the grave defects in our foreign policy> b : an imperfection (as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice
2
[Latin defectus] : a lack of something necessary for completeness, adequacy, or perfection : deficiency <a hearing defect>
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Origin of DEFECT
Middle English, from Latin defectus lack, from deficere to desert, fail, from de- + facere to do — more at do
Related to DEFECT
- Synonyms
- blight, blotch, blemish, deformity, disfigurement, excrescence, excrescency, fault, flaw, imperfection, mar, mark, pockmark, scar
Rhymes with DEFECT
abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked
2defect
verb de·fect \di-ˈfekt\
: to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy
Full Definition of DEFECT
intransitive verb
1
: to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology
2
: to leave one situation (as a job) often to go over to a rival <the reporter defected to another network>
— de·fec·tor \-ˈfek-tər\ noun
See defect defined for English-language learners
Origin of DEFECT
Latin defectus, past participle of deficere
First Known Use: 1596
DEFECT Defined for Kids
defect
noun de·fect \ˈdē-ˌfekt, di-ˈfekt\
Definition of DEFECT for Kids
1
: something that makes a thing imperfect : flaw <A slight defect lowered the diamond's value.>
2
: a lack of something needed for perfection <Doctors can correct the hearing defect.>
Medical Dictionary
defect
noun de·fect \ˈdē-ˌfekt, di-ˈ\
Medical Definition of DEFECT
: a lack or deficiency of something necessary for adequacy in form or function <a hearing defect>
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