I. də̇ˈfishənt, dēˈ- adjective
Etymology: Latin deficient-, deficiens, present participle of deficere to be lacking, from de- + -ficere (from facere to make, do) — more at do
1. : lacking in some quality, faculty, or characteristic necessary for completeness
deficient in judgment
: not up to a normal standard : defective
deficient strength
: needed to make up completeness
deficient by about one quarter of the whole amount
2. : having, relating to, or characterized by a gene deficiency
• de·fi·cient·ly adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: one that is deficient
percent of mental deficients institutionalized