Definition of defect
1a : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : shortcoming the grave defects in our foreign policy A defect prevented the DVD from playing properly.b chemistry : an imperfection (such as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice (see lattice 2)
2 [Latin defectus] : a lack of something necessary for completeness, adequacy, or perfection : deficiency a hearing defect
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Examples of defect in a Sentence
They examine their products for defects.
She was born with a heart defect.
Vanity and pride were his two worst character defects.
Origin and Etymology of defect
Middle English, from Latin defectus lack, from deficere to desert, fail, from de- + facere to do — more at do
First Known Use: 15th century
Definition of defect
intransitive verb
1 : to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology a former KGB agent who defected to America
2 : to leave one situation (such as a job) often to go over to a rival the reporter defected to another network
Examples of defect in a Sentence
The Russian scholar defected in 1979.
She defected from the conservative party.
He defected to the West before the war began.
The reporter defected to another TV network.
Origin and Etymology of defect
Latin defectus, past participle of deficere —see 1defect
First Known Use: 1596
DEFECT Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of defect for English Language Learners
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: a physical problem that causes something to be less valuable, effective, healthy, etc.
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: something that causes weakness or failure
Definition of defect for English Language Learners
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: to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy
DEFECT Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
defect
playLegal Definition of defect
: something or a lack of something that results in incompleteness, inadequacy, or imperfection: as a : a flaw in something (as a product) especially that creates an unreasonable risk of harm in its normal use — see also latent defect b : an error or omission in a court document (as an indictment or pleading) c : some imperfection in the chain of title to property that makes the title unmarketable
defectively
adverbdefectiveness
nounLearn More about defect
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See words that rhyme with defect Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defect Spanish Central: Translation of defect Nglish: Translation of defect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of defect for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defect
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