Main Entry:

¹de·fi·cient

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈfi-shənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Latin deficient-, deficiens, present participle of deficere to be wanting — more at defect

Date:

1581

1 : lacking in some necessary quality or element <deficient in judgment> 2 : not up to a normal standard or complement : defective <deficient strength>

— de·fi·cient·ly adverb