The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Defect \De*fect"\, v. t.
   To injure; to damage. "None can my life defect." [R.]
   --Troubles of Q. Elizabeth (1639).
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Defect \De*fect"\, n. [L. defectus, fr. deficere, defectum, to
   desert, fail, be wanting; de- + facere to make, do. See
   Fact, Feat, and cf. Deficit.]
   1. Want or absence of something necessary for completeness or
      perfection; deficiency; -- opposed to superfluity.
      [1913 Webster]

            Errors have been corrected, and defects supplied.
                                                  --Davies.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Failing; fault; imperfection, whether physical or moral;
      blemish; as, a defect in the ear or eye; a defect in
      timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment.
      [1913 Webster]

            Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know,
            Make use of every friend -- and every foe. --Pope.
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            Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal
            defects.                              --Macaulay.

   Syn: Deficiency; imperfection; blemish. See Fault.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Defect \De*fect"\, v. i.
   To fail; to become deficient. [Obs.] "Defected honor."
   --Warner.
   [1913 Webster]

   2. to abandon one country or faction, and join another.
      [PJC]