The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - defectn.

1) shortcoming, deficiency, lack, want, inadequacy, insufficiency, shortfall, failure, weakness, frailty, weak point, imperfection, irregularity, liability: See the doctor about that hearing defect. 2) blemish, imperfection, failing, weakness, flaw, fault, mark, stain, irregularity, mistake, error: The products should be inspected for defects before shipping. --v. 3) desert, change sides or loyalties, turn traitor, go over; escape: Ropovich tried to defect, but the Albanians sent him back.