De‐fect″ive (?), a. [L. defectivus: cf. F. défectif. See Defect.] 1. Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; — applied either to natural or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a defective character; defective rules.
2. (Gram.) Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb. — De‐fect″ive‐ly, adv. — De‐fect″ive‐ness, n.