defective
AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Adjective (3)
- having a defect“I returned the appliance because it was defective”Synonyms: faultyOpposite perfectSimilar imperfect
- markedly subnormal in structure or function or intelligence or behavior“defective speech”Opposite normalSimilar abnormal, unnatural
- not working properly“a bad telephone connection”“a defective appliance”Synonyms: badOpposite functioningSimilar malfunctioning, nonfunctional
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. defectivus: cf. F. défectif. See Defect.
1. Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; — applied either to natural or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a defective character; defective rules.
2. Grammar Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb. — De·fect′wb-a1′>′ive·ly, adverb — De·fect′wb-a1′>′ive·ness, noun
1. Anything that is defective or lacking in some respect.
2. Medicine One who is lacking physically or mentally.
☞ Under the term defectives are included deaf-mutes, the blind, the feeble-minded, the insane, and sometimes, esp. in criminology, criminals and paupers.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: 1913 supplement