I. -ktiv, -tēv also ˈdēˌf- or -təv adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French defectif, from Old French, from Late Latin defectivus, from Latin defectus + -ivus -ive
1. obsolete : in error : at fault
2. : wanting in something essential : falling below an accepted standard in regularity and soundness of form or structure
a defective imprint
a defective pane of glass
or in adequacy of function
a defective mechanism
defective eyesight
: faulty , deficient , insufficient
defective method
3.
a. : lacking one or more of the usual forms of grammatical inflection
the defective verb quoth
b. of writing in a Semitic alphabet : lacking a vowel letter to indicate a vowel sound — compare scriptio defectiva
• de·fec·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a word that lacks one or more of the usual forms of grammatical inflection
the verb ought is a defective
2. : a person who is subnormal physically or mentally ; specifically : one with marked stigmata or physical defects