defect

²de·fect

verb \di-ˈfekt\

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

Examples of DEFECT

1. The Russian scholar defected in 1979.
2. She defected from the conservative party.
3. He defected to the West before the war began.
4. The reporter defected to another TV network.

Origin of DEFECT

Latin defectus, past participle of deficere

First Known Use: 1596