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 -- and every foe.
Pope.
Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal
defects.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Deficiency; imperfection; blemish. See
Fault.
De*fect", v. i. To fail; to become
deficient. [Obs.] "Defected honor." Warner.
De*fect", v. t. To injure; to
damage. "None can my life defect." [R.] Troubles of
Q. Elizabeth (1639).
