We are used to the fact that a word that has got into our networks most often means a technical malfunction, a marriage. If in this spirit we talk about a person, this means greatly degrading his dignity. Yes, from such vague reasoning it is difficult to understand what will be discussed today. In the area of special attention “defect”, we will consider this noun.
Origin
Usually, everything is clear in terms of history. But this is not our current case. Similar words are available in three languages at once:
- defekt (German);
- defect (Dutch);
- defectus (Latin).
Moreover, the version of borrowing organically includes all three possible sources. It is clear that Latin is a defect of a distant ancestor, and the remaining possibilities are divided approximately 50/50, given our close ties with both the Dutch and the Germans in the era of Peter. One thing is clear: the word is not of Slavic origin. Since the dictionary does not give preference to anyone, the reader can choose the language that suits him more. But if you are asked, tell the truth that the dictionary has perfect parity in this regard.
Yes, we almost forgot to mention the meaning that the etymological dictionary gives: "flaw, flaw."
Value and Suggestions
From the affairs of the past, we turn to the affairs of the present. To find out the meaning of the word “defect” in the modern interpretation, one needs to pick up another dictionary - explanatory. The latter always helps to navigate the sea of meanings and contents of linguistic units. Therefore, of course, we will not disdain his help. So, a defect is a "flaw, a flaw, a flaw." In this case, both dictionaries coincide in their opinion regarding the object of study.
Since it is always easier to imagine and understand the word, based on the context, let us compose some characteristic sentences, for example such:
- You ask, why am I so sad? But imagine, I ordered, that means, an air mattress, went to the sea, blew it up, swam for buoys, and he took it and started to lower it suddenly, but I don’t know how to swim, it’s good that some man was swimming nearby, he I towed to the shore. Yes, such a defect could cost me my life. Now, soon I want to sea.
- The car, of course, is good, but the horn is not working. And this is a defect, I'm sorry, so make a discount, be kind.
- My cat has a manufacturing defect: she does not meow.
The technical meaning of the noun
We noticed that in the last sentence the combination of a living object (cat) with an almost technical term (“defect”) gives rise to a humorous effect. Therefore, we would look with suspicion on the person who expresses this. This is because the glory of the word, which defines various malfunctions and breakdowns in cars, has been assigned to the noun. Thus, it cannot be said that the child has a defect in education, he rather has a lack of the same. Despite the original meaning of borrowing, our noun specialized.
And this, by the way, makes it clear why the adjective “defective” is a curse word when it is addressed to a man or woman. Firstly, of course, one cannot point out a person to his obvious shortcomings, because we don’t choose too much when we enter this world; secondly, and this is a more subtle observation, insulting the very comparison of a person with a machine. As if the first is a tool for any specific purpose. Man has no such purpose. Yes, sometimes when some functions of the body are violated, they talk about a defect, but you can’t talk about “breakdown” in relation to the whole person - this is disrespect.
Well, in any case, this is not a very simple answer to the question of what a defect is. We tried to explain to the reader all the subtleties and even give him the opportunity to look at the noun from an unexpected angle.