deficiency
/dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ noun B1- Inadequacy or incompleteness.
- An insufficiency, especially of something essential to health.
- The amount by which the number of double points on a curve is short of the maximum for curves of the same degree.
- The codimension of a linear system in the corresponding complete linear system.
Plural deficiencies
From the library
Bennet’s property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed, in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother’s fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiency of his.
Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society; the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms without forming at it any useful acquaintance.
“I thought, perhaps,” said Danglars with supreme impertinence, “that you had a deficiency to make up?”
Recognizing this profound deficiency, scholars proposed a comprehensive new dictionary that would trace the historical development of every single word.
Learn deficiency in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.