imperfect

The definition of imperfect is someone or something that has at least one fault or that is not fully formed or complete.

(adjective)

A china dish with a small crack in it is an example of something that would be described as imperfect.
A map of all of the homes in an area that is not completed is an example of an imperfect map.

See imperfect in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

not finished or complete; lacking in something
not perfect; having a defect, fault, or error
Gram. in certain inflected languages, designating or of the tense of a verb that indicates a past action or state as uncompleted, continuous, customary, or going on at the same time as another: “was writing” and “used to write” are English forms corresponding to the imperfect tense in such languages
Music designating an interval of a major or minor third or sixth

Origin: ME inperfit < OFr imparfit < L imperfectus: see in- & perfect

noun

Related Forms:

See imperfect in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Not perfect.
Grammar Of or being the tense of a verb that shows, usually in the past, an action or a condition as incomplete, continuous, or coincident with another action.
Botany Having either stamens or a pistil only. Used of a flower.
Law Not legally enforceable: an imperfect contract.

noun

A piece of merchandise having a minor flaw that does not impair its use, usually sold at a discount.
Abbr. imp. or imperf. Grammar
a. The imperfect tense.
b. A verb in the imperfect tense.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English imparfit

Origin: , from Old French imparfait

Origin: , from Latin imperfectus

Origin: : in-, not; see in-¹

Origin: + perfectus, perfect; see perfect

Related Forms: