defective, deficient

defective, deficient
The first of these terms should be related to defect, the second to deficit. For example, money that is counterfeit is defective because of its defect. Money is deficient if there is not enough of it. Defect is the general word for any kind of imperfection or shortcoming; deficit is the general word for "shortage" or "lack." Thus one might refer to a child as being "mentally deficient" ("lacking normal intelligence") and "physically defective" ("imperfect in hearing or speech").

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • defective, deficient —  When something is not working properly, it is defective; when it is missing a necessary part, it is deficient …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • defective, deficient —    When something is not working properly, it is defective; when it is missing a necessary part, it is deficient …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • defective, deficient —    When something is not working properly, it is defective; when it is missing a necessary part, it is deficient …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • deficient — defective, deficient Defective means ‘having a defect (= fault)’, whereas deficient means ‘having a deficiency (or lack)’. So eyesight, components, goods, logic, mechanisms, products, workmanship, etc., can all be defective if they are not… …   Modern English usage

  • defective — defective, deficient Defective means ‘having a defect (= fault)’, whereas deficient means ‘having a deficiency (or lack)’. So eyesight, components, goods, logic, mechanisms, products, workmanship, etc., can all be defective if they are not… …   Modern English usage

  • defective — *deficient Analogous words: impaired, damaged, injured, marred (see INJURE): vitiated, corrupted, debased (see under DEBASE): deranged, disordered (see DISORDER) Antonyms: intact Contrasted words: *perfect, entire, whole: complete, *full, plenary …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • deficient — deficiently, adv. /di fish euhnt/, adj. 1. lacking some element or characteristic; defective: deficient in taste. 2. insufficient; inadequate: deficient knowledge. n. 3. a person who is deficient, esp. one who is mentally defective. [1575 85; < L …   Universalium

  • deficient — I. adjective Etymology: Latin deficient , deficiens, present participle of deficere to be wanting more at defect Date: 1581 1. lacking in some necessary quality or element < deficient in judgment > 2. not up to a normal standard or complement ;… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • deficient — See defective. See defective, deficient …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • defective — See defective, deficient …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”