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lack

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Lack is defined as you are in a position or state where you do not have something or where you do not have enough of something.

(noun)

An example of lack is when you are barefoot and you want shoes.

The definition of lack is to have an absence of something that should be there.

(verb)

An example of lack is when you have no imagination.

See lack in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the fact or condition of not having enough; shortage; deficiency
the fact or condition of not having any; complete absence
the thing that is lacking or needed

Origin: early ME lac < or akin to MLowG & MDu lak, lack: for IE base see leak

intransitive verb

to be wanting or missing; show a deficiency
1. to be short: with in, for, or, now rarely, of
2. to be in need

Origin: ME lacen < MDu laken, to be wanting

transitive verb

to be deficient in or entirely without
to fall short by: lacking one ounce of being a pound
Obsolete to need; require

lacking: lackluster

See lack in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Deficiency or absence: Lack of funding brought the project to a halt.
A particular deficiency or absence: Owing to a lack of supporters, the reforms did not succeed.

verb lacked, lack·ing, lacks

verb, transitive

To be without or in need of: lacked the strength to lift the box.

verb, intransitive

To be missing or deficient: We suspected that he was lying, but proof was lacking.
To be in need of something: She does not lack for friends.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , perhaps from Middle Dutch lac, deficiency, fault

Usage Note: When lack is used intransitively, the present participle is generally followed by in: You will not be lacking in support from me. Other forms of the intransitive verb are most often followed by for: In the terrible, beautiful age of my prime,/I lacked for sweet linen but never for time (E.B. White).

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