- a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in an argument;a defect in a machine.
- lack or want, especially of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency: a defect of common sense;a defect of action.
- a discontinuity in the lattice of a crystal caused by missing or extra atoms or ions, or by dislocations.
- to desert a cause, country, etc., especially in order to adopt another (often followed by from or to): He defected from the U.S.S.R. to the West.
- a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency
- an imperfection, failing, or blemish
- a local deviation from regularity in the crystal lattice of a solid
- to desert one's country, cause, allegiance, etc, esp in order to join the opposing forces
