de·fect
[n. dee-fekt, dih-fekt; v. dih-fekt]
–noun
1.a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection: a defect in an argument; a defect in a machine.
2.lack or want, especially of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency: a defect in hearing.
3.Also called crystal defect, lattice defect. Crystallography . a discontinuity in the lattice of a crystal caused by missing or extra atoms or ions, or by dislocations.
–verb (used without object)
4.to desert a cause, country, etc., especially in order to adopt another (often followed by from or to ): He defected from the U.S.S.R to the West.
—Synonyms
1. Defect, blemish, flaw refer to faults that detract from perfection. Defect is the general word for any kind of shortcoming or imperfection, whether literal or figurative: a defect in eyesight, in a plan. A blemish is usually a defect on a surface, which mars the appearance: a blemish on her cheek. Flaw is applied to a defect in quality, caused by imperfect structure (as in a diamond) or brought about during manufacture (as in texture of cloth, in clearness of glass, etc.).