Definition of "defective" in English

adjective

1. Having one or more defects.

2. (grammar, of a lexeme, especially a verb) Lacking some forms; e.g., having only one tense or being usable only in the third person.

3. (Arabic grammar, of a verb) Having a root whose final consonant is weak (ي, و, or ء).

4. (orthography, of a script) Not capable of representing all the phonemic distinctions of a language it is used to write.

5. (chiefly of abjad script) Spelled without matres lectionis, for example אמץ (ómets, “courage”) as opposed to the plene spelling אומץ where the letter vav ⟨ו⟩ indicates the vowel o.

adverb

1. (chiefly of abjad script) Without matres lectionis (letters indicating vowels) written out.

noun

1. A person or thing considered to be defective.

2. (chiefly of abjad script) A word written without matres lectionis (letters indicating vowels).