ETYM See Defect (n.).
To leave suddenly (and often surreptitiously) from an organization, a country or an army; SYN. desert.
ETYM Latin defectus, from deficere, defectum, to desert, fail, be wanting; de- + facere to make, do. Related to Fact, Feat, Deficit.
1. A failing or deficiency; SYN. shortcoming.
2. An imperfection in a bodily system.
3. An imperfection in a device or machine; SYN. fault, flaw.