defect

/ˈdē-ˌfekt/

Middle English, borrowed from Latin dēfectus "failure, absence, lack, weakness," from dēficere "to be lacking, run short, weaken, fail" + -tus, suffix of action nouns

noun

  1. an imperfection or abnormality that impairs quality, function, or utility : shortcoming, flaw

  2. an imperfection (such as a vacancy or an unlike atom) in a crystal lattice

carefully inspect a tire for defects

verb

  1. to forsake one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology

  2. to leave one situation (such as a job) often to go over to a rival

a former KGB agent who defected to America

noun

  1. a physical or biochemical defect that is present at birth and may be inherited or environmentally induced