deficient

Adjective
Synonyms: lacking(p)wanting(p)insufficientinferiorsubstandard

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (3)

  1. inadequate in amount or degree“a deficient education”“deficient in common sense”“lacking in stamina”“tested and found wanting”Synonyms: lacking(p)wanting(p)
  2. of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement“insufficient funds”Synonyms: insufficient
  3. falling short of some prescribed norm“substandard housing”Synonyms: inferiorsubstandard
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Deficient \De*fi"cient\, a. [L. deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of deficere to be wanting. See Defect.] Wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective; imperfect; incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts; deficient estate; deficient strength; deficient in judgment. [1913 Webster]

The style was indeed deficient in ease and variety. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Deficient number. (Arith.) See under Abundant. -- De*fi"cient-ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

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