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frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

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insufficiency, shortfall, failure, weakness, frailty, weak<br />

point, imperfection, irregularity, liability: See the doctor<br />

about that hearing defect. 2 blemish, imperfection, failing,<br />

weakness, flaw, fault, mark, stain, irregularity, mistake,<br />

error: The products should be inspected for defects before<br />

shipping.<br />

--v. 3 desert, change sides or loyalties, turn traitor, go<br />

over; escape: Ropovich tried to defect, but the Albanians sent<br />

him back.<br />

defective adj. 1 imperfect, faulty, flawed, deficient, broken, out of<br />

order, impaired, marred, Colloq on the blink, US on the fritz:<br />

The brakes on his car were defective. 2 retarded, simple,<br />

feeble-minded, (mentally) deficient or incompetent, backward,<br />

subnormal, Brit education ESN ('educationally subnormal'), US<br />

education exceptional: Found to be defective, he could not<br />

stand trial.<br />

defector n. deserter, apostate, turncoat, traitor, renegade, Colloq rat:<br />

Some political defectors were suspected of being spies.<br />

defence n. 1 shelter, protection, cover, guard, safeguard, shield:<br />

There is no defence against certain illnesses. 2 fortification,<br />

armour, barricade, screen, bulwark, rampart: Shore defences<br />

were set up, including barbed wire entanglements and concrete<br />

pillboxes. 3 excuse, apology, reason, apologia, explanation;<br />

justification, vindication, argument, plea, advocacy, support:<br />

His defence for decreasing welfare payments was inadequate. She<br />

spoke in defence of nationalizing industry.<br />

defenceless<br />

adj. unprotected, exposed, vulnerable, unguarded; helpless,<br />

weak, powerless, impotent: Would you take advantage of a poor,<br />

defenceless creature?<br />

defend v. 1 protect, watch over, guard, safeguard, keep (safe),<br />

shelter, shield, screen, preserve; fight for: We must defend<br />

our civil rights. 2 fortify, arm, secure; fend or ward off,<br />

parry: Can you defend your position from attack? 3 plead for,<br />

speak or stand up for, stick up for, go to bat for, support,<br />

uphold, stand by, champion, stand with or behind or beside,<br />

argue for or in behalf of, hold a brief for, espouse: The

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