I. ˈdē-ˌfekt, di-ˈ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin defectus lack, from deficere to desert, fail, from de- + facere to do — more at do
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : shortcoming
the grave defect s in our foreign policy
b. : an imperfection (as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice
2.
[Latin defectus ]
: a lack of something necessary for completeness, adequacy, or perfection : deficiency
a hearing defect
II. di-ˈfekt intransitive verb
Etymology: Latin defectus, past participle of deficere
Date: 1596
1. : to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology
2. : to leave one situation (as a job) often to go over to a rival
the reporter defect ed to another network
• de·fec·tor -ˈfek-tər noun