De*fect" (?), n. [L. defectus, fr. deficere, defectum, to desert, fail, be wanting; de- + facere to make, do. See Fact, Feat, and cf. Deficit.]
1.
Want or absence of something necessary for completeness or perfection; deficiency; -- opposed to superfluity.
Errors have been corrected, and defects supplied.
Davies.
2.
Failing; fault; imperfection, whether physical or moral; blemish; as, a defect in the ear or eye; a defect in timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment.
Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know,
Make use of every friend -- any every foe.
Pope.
Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal defects.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Deficiency; imperfection; blemish. See Fault.
© Webster 1913.
De*fect", v. i.
To fail; to become deficient.
[Obs.] "
Defected honor."
Warner.
© Webster 1913.
De*fect", v. t.
To injure; to damage.
"None can my life
defect." [R.]
Troubles of Q. Elizabeth (1639).
© Webster 1913.