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defer (1)
defer (2)
deference
deferent (1)
deferent (2)
deferential
deferred annuity
deferred billing
deferred compensation
deferred income taxes
deferred month
deferred sentence
defervescence
Defiance
defiance
defiant
defibrillate
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defect

de·fect [ d fèkt ]


noun  (plural de·fects)
Definition:
 
1. flaw in something: a physical problem in a machine, structure, or system, especially one that prevents it from functioning correctly

2. inadequate feature: a feature of something that is regarded as inadequate

3. imperfection in crystal: an imperfection in the internal structure of a crystal, e.g. an atom of a different substance



intransitive verb  (past and past participle de·fect·ed, present participle de·fect·ing, 3rd person present singular de·fects)
Definition:
 
1. reject homeland: to leave your native country or the country you are living in and refuse to return there, usually for political or moral reasons

2. abandon allegiance: to abandon allegiance to a cause or party, especially when this also involves supporting something previously opposed

[15th century. < Latin defect-, past participle of deficere "be wanting, desert" < facere "do, make"]

de·fec·tion noun
de·fec·tor noun

Word Key: Synonyms

See flaw1.

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