an imperfection in a bodily system
"visual defects"
"this device permits detection of defects in the lungs"
a failing or deficiency
"that interpretation is an unfortunate defect of our lack of information"
A fault or malfunction.
"The sudden defect in the car's braking system caused a dangerous delay on the highway."
To abandon or turn against; to cease or change one's loyalty, especially from a military organisation or political party.
"After years of service, the soldier decided to defect and join the opposing army."
In plain English: To defect means to leave your own team and join an enemy group, especially during a war.
"The new employee quickly defected to our main competitor after hearing about their higher salaries."
Usage: Use the verb defect when someone abandons their own side to join an opposing group, such as in war or politics. This term specifically implies a betrayal of allegiance rather than simply leaving or resigning.
The word "defect" comes from the Latin verb deficere, meaning to fail or be lacking. It entered English with this sense of failure rather than through a direct translation of its original components.