De*fect"ive (?), n.
1. Anything that is defective or lacking in some respect.
2.
(Med.) One who is lacking physically or mentally.
&fist; Under the term defectives are included deaf-mutes, the blind, the feeble-minded, the insane, and sometimes, esp. in criminology, criminals and paupers.
De*fect"ive (?), a. [L. defectivus: cf. F. défectif. See Defect.]
1. Wanting in something; incomplete;
lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; -- applied either to natural or
moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a
defective character; defective rules.
2. (Gram.) Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb. -- De*fect"ive*ly, adv.
-- De*fect"ive*ness, n.
Hear it pronounced