deficit English · revision 10251

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1782|origins=fr déficit|origins=la deficit}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdɛfɪsɪt/ ''(UK)''; /ˈdɛfəsɪt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|déficit]] (late 17th century),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Latin [[m|la|dēficit|t=it is wanting]], the third person singular present of dēficere, to fail, be lacking (see [[deficient]], [[defect]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from dē-, down, away, and facere, to do, make.^(Etymonline) The Latin word introduced clauses in inventories^(Etymonline) and was formerly written against a missing item in an account.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A falling short in amount, especially of money: 1782.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Deficit spending'', government spending in excess of revenue, is from 1941, and ''deficit financing'' from 1943.^(OED 1989) A deficiency or impairment in mental or physical functioning, and an unfavourable position, are later extensions.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1782 – a shortfall.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1941 – deficit spending.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1943 – deficit financing.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The amount by which a sum of money falls short of what is needed or expected.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An excess of [[expenditure]] over revenue, or of liabilities over assets.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A lack or impairment, especially of a mental or physical function.^(AHD)

+ # A disadvantage, as being behind in a game.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[attention deficit disorder]]

+ * [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]]

+ * [[deficit spending]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[defect]]

+ * [[defection]]

+ * [[defective]]

+ * [[defector]]

+ * [[deficiency]]

+ * [[deficient]]

+ * [[surplus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}