defect

n.

1. A lack of something needed

   deficiency, shortage, deficit; see lack 1, 2.

2. A faulty part

   imperfection, flaw, blemish, drawback, shortcoming, fault, spot, stain, taint, speck, mark, weak point, break, rift, scratch, unsoundness, frailty, gap, twist, crack, check, discoloration, hole, knot, foible, vice, failing, sin, injury, birthmark, blot, scar, marring, deformity, demerit, blotch, weakness, error, patch, seam, mistake, rough spot, blindness, infirmity, bug*, glitch*, blind spot*; see also blemish.

defect implies a lack of something essential to completeness or perfection a defect in vision; an imperfection is any faulty detail that detracts from perfection minor imperfections of style; a blemish is a superficial or surface imperfection that mars the appearance skin blemishes, a blemish on his record; a flaw is an imperfection in structure or substance, such as a crack or gap, that mars the wholeness or continuity a flaw in a metal bar

defect

v.