/di fek"sheuhn/ , n.
1. desertion from allegiance, loyalty, duty, or the like; apostasy: His defection to East Germany was regarded as treasonable.
2. failure; lack; loss: He was overcome by a sudden defection of courage.
[ 1535-45; defection- (s. of defectio ), equiv. to defect ( us ) (see DEFECT) + -ion- -ION ]
Ant. 1. loyalty.