Dictionary entry

Insufficiency

Webster's Dictionary 1913

In′suf‐fi″cien‐cy (?), n. [L. insufficientia: cf. F. insuffisance, whence OE. insuffisance. See Insufficient.]

1. The quality or state of being insufficient; want of sufficiency; deficiency; inadequateness; as, the insufficiency of provisions, of an excuse, etc.

The insufficiency of the light of nature is, by the light of Scripture,... fully supplied. Hooker.

2. Want of power or skill; inability; incapacity; incompetency; as, the insufficiency of a man for an office.