defectus Latin · revision 33262

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=96–55 BC, Lucretius|origins=la faciō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [deːˈfɛk.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [deˈfɛk.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dēfectus''' ''m'' (genitive dēfectūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+ As the participle of [[dēficiō]] it is an adjective, ''dēfectus, -a, -um'', comparative ''dēfectior''.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|dēficiō|-tus|t1=to fail, desert]], a fourth-declension noun of action.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) [[m|la|dēficiō]] is a compound of [[m|la|dē-]] and [[m|la|faciō|t=to do, make]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest examples are in Lucretius, of an eclipse, and Cicero, of growing less.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates the noun from Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its main sense is failure, lack or deficiency: Livy has a lack of water killing cattle by thirst, and ''dēfectus animī'' is faintness.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short find it frequent in Pliny the Elder and rare elsewhere.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Pliny also uses it of a weakness, such as a weak stomach.^(OLD 2012) Lucretius uses it of an eclipse, and Cicero of growing less.^(OLD 2012) In the jurists it is the lapse of a condition.^(OLD 2012) Curtius and the ''Historia Augusta'' use it for a revolt.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In medieval texts it is a lack or deficiency, a vice or imperfection, defection or disobedience, prevarication and denial of justice.^(Niermeyer 1976) English [[m|en|defect]] (early 15th century) came from it, partly through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius, of an eclipse.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero, of waning.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy, of a lack of water.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century AD – Curtius, of a revolt.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 15th century – English [[m|en|defect]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|failure|alt=Failure]], lack, [[m|en|deficiency]];^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) ''dēfectus animī'', faintness.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A weakness, [[m|en|defect]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''(Medieval Latin)'' a vice, imperfection.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # An [[m|en|eclipse]];^(OLD 2012) a waning, diminution.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(law)'' The lapse of a condition.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|revolt]], defection.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Worn out, enfeebled.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Faulty, [[m|en|defective]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) reduced in size.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dēfector]]

+ * [[dēficiō]]

+ * [[dēfectīvus]]

+ * [[dēfectiō]]

+ * [[en|defect]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The adjective is the participle of [[dēficiō]]: Ovid has someone slipping on a weakened knee, Fronto a faulty book, and Apuleius things made smaller in convex mirrors.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates it from Ovid.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}