defect
Definitions
A fault, flaw, or imperfection that prevents something from being complete or working properly.
缺陷，毛病，瑕疵。
To abandon one's country, party, or cause to join an opposing one.
叛逃，背叛，倒戈。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (away, down) + fect (fac, 'do/make') = 'to undo, to fail in the doing.' Latin deficere meant 'to be lacking, to fail, to fall away.' From 'falling short' come both senses: a defect is where the making fell short (a flaw); to defect is to fall away from your own side.
Root fac still carries 273 more wordsWhy It Means This
One Latin verb (deficere, 'to fall away/fail') split into two English meanings that feel unrelated. A product defect is a place where it 'failed in the making.' A spy who defects has 'fallen away' from their side. Same idea of falling short of staying whole — one applied to objects, one to loyalty.
Usage Guide
- Stress shifts by part of speech: DE-fect (noun, a flaw) vs de-FECT (verb, to defect).
- The verb is mostly used in political/military contexts: defect to the enemy, a defecting athlete.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The recall was issued after a serious defect was found in the brakes.
- 2.
The general defected to the rebels and revealed the army's plans.
- 3.
Several scientists defected to the West during the Cold War.
Easily Confused
defect vs deficit — Both from deficere, but a defect is a flaw in something (a defect in the design); a deficit is a shortfall in amount (a budget deficit, a sleep deficit). Flaw → defect; missing quantity → deficit.