Defect
/ˈdiːfekt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA shortcoming, fault, or imperfection.
/ˈdiːfekt/
A shortcoming or imperfection.
The software had a serious defect that caused it to crash frequently.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy has a tiny crack, and it's not as good as it could be. That crack is a 'defect'. It's something that makes it not perfect or how it's supposed to be.
👶 For kids: A defect is something that's wrong with something, like a toy that's broken or a cookie that's not baked right.
More Examples
The house inspection revealed several defects in the electrical wiring.
He pointed out a minor defect in the painting.
How It's Used
"The car had a manufacturing defect that caused the engine to fail."
"Her biggest defect, in his opinion, was her stubbornness."
To abandon one's country or cause in favor of an opposing one.
/dɪˈfekt/
To abandon a cause or organization.
The spy defected to the other side with valuable information.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game on one team, but you're unhappy and secretly decide to join the other team instead. That means you 'defect' - you switch sides!
👶 For kids: To defect means to switch teams or sides.
More Examples
Many athletes defected to escape the oppressive regime.
He defected from the organization due to ethical disagreements.
How It's Used
"The politician defected from the ruling party and joined the opposition."
"Several soldiers defected to the enemy during the war."
Idioms & expressions
defect of the eye
A visual impairment.
"The child was born with a defect of the eye."
defect to
To abandon a country, cause, or organization and go to a rival one.
"The officer defected to the enemy side after the battle."
From Latin *dēfēctus*, past participle of *dēficere* 'to fail, revolt', from *de-* 'away, off' + *facere* 'to do, make'.
Historically used in both noun and verb forms, with the verb form often relating to betrayal or abandoning a cause. Found in legal and political contexts throughout history.
Memory tip
Think of a broken part; a defect means something is not right.
Word Origin
"to fail, revolt"