Main Entry:

def·i·cit

Pronunciation:

\ˈde-fə-sət, British also di-ˈfis-ət or ˈdē-fə-sət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French déficit, from Latin deficit it is wanting, 3d singular present indicative of deficere

Date:

1782

1 a (1): deficiency in amount or quality <a deficit in rainfall> (2): a lack or impairment in a functional capacity <cognitive deficits> <a hearing deficit> b: disadvantage <scored two runs to overcome a 2–1 deficit>2 a: an excess of expenditure over revenue b: a loss in business operations