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deficiency definition

de·fi·ciency (dē fis̸h′ən sē, di-)

noun

  1. the quality or state of being deficient; absence of something essential; incompleteness
  2. pl. deficiencies -·cies
    1. a shortage
    2. the amount of shortage; deficit

Etymology: ME deficience < LL deficientia < L deficiens, prp. of deficere to lack, fail < de-, from + facere, to do

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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