Defect definition
Defected from the party over the issue of free trade.
An example of a defect is a genetic condition that causes weakness or death.
An example of a defect is faulty wiring that results in a product not working.
A Soviet citizen who defected to Israel.
A defect in the ear or eye; a defect in timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment.
Origin of defect
- Middle English from Latin dēfectus failure, want from past participle of dēficere to desert, be wanting dē- de- facere to do dhē- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle French defaicte, from Latin defectus (“a failure, lack”), from deficere (“to fail, lack, literally 'undo'”), from past participle defectus, from de- (“priv.”) + facere (“to do”).
From Wiktionary