Search Result for "insufficiency": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. a lack of competence;
- Example: "pointed out the insufficiencies in my report"
- Example: "juvenile offenses often reflect an inadequacy in the parents"
[syn: insufficiency, inadequacy]

2. (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally;

3. lack of an adequate quantity or number;
- Example: "the inadequacy of unemployment benefits"
[syn: insufficiency, inadequacy, deficiency]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Insufficiency \In`suf*fi"cien*cy\, n. [L. insufficientia: cf. F.
   insuffisance, whence OE. insuffisance. See Insufficient.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. The quality or state of being insufficient; lack of
      sufficiency; deficiency; inadequateness; as, the
      insufficiency of provisions, of an excuse, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

            The insufficiency of the light of nature is, by the
            light of Scripture, . . . fully supplied. --Hooker.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Lack of power or skill; inability; incapacity;
      incompetency; as, the insufficiency of a man for an
      office.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

insufficiency
    n 1: a lack of competence; "pointed out the insufficiencies in
         my report"; "juvenile offenses often reflect an inadequacy
         in the parents" [syn: insufficiency, inadequacy]
    2: (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function
       normally
    3: lack of an adequate quantity or number; "the inadequacy of
       unemployment benefits" [syn: insufficiency, inadequacy,
       deficiency] [ant: adequacy, sufficiency]