de ‧ fi ‧ cient /dɪˈfɪʃ ə nt/ BrE AmE adjective formal
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: deficiens , present participle of deficere ; ⇨ ↑ defect 1 ]
1 . not containing or having enough of something:
Women who are dieting can become iron deficient.
deficient in
patients who were deficient in vitamin C
2 . not good enough:
Our prisons are our most deficient social service.