n.
Pronunciation: ' de-f ə -s ə t, Brit also di- ' fis- ə t or ' d ē -f ə -s ə t
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 deficit s > <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