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.