defect

Where does the word "defect" come from? It comes from Latin deficere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Defect’s story begins in Latin: deficere meant “to fail, to be lacking.” To fail, to be lacking, from de- (away) and facere (to do, make). Within Latin, it grew into defectus by ancient. A failing, a lack, from deficere. It reached English by 1400s as defect. Settled as the English word for an imperfection or shortcoming. Today, defect means an imperfection or shortcoming that impairs quality or function.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient deficere "to fail, to be lacking", to fail, to be lacking, from de- (away) and facere (to do, make).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient defectus "a failing, a lack", a failing, a lack, from deficere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s defect "an imperfection or shortcoming", settled as the English word for an imperfection or shortcoming.