—n. Fault, imperfection, shortcoming. —v. Leave one's country or cause for another. defection n. Defector n. [latin deficio -fect- fail]

v. (also absol.) 1 (often foll. By against, from) resist an attack made on; protect.

- uphold by argument.

- conduct a defence in a lawsuit.

- compete to retain (a title etc.) In a contest. defender n. [latin defendo -fens-]

v. (-ling) 1 make dirty; pollute.

- desecrate, profane. defilement n. [earlier defoul, from french defouler trample down]

- —n. Narrow gorge or pass. —v. (-ling) march in file. [french: related to *file1]

v. (-ning) 1 give the meaning of (a word etc.).

- describe or explain the scope of (define one's position).

- outline clearly (well-defined image).

- mark out the boundary of. definable adj. [latin finis end]

v. Make ugly or misshapen, disfigure. deformation n. [latin: related to *form]

v. Provide money for (a cost or expense). defrayal n. Defrayment n. [medieval latin fredum fine]

v. (-sing) 1 remove the fuse from (a bomb etc.).

- reduce tension etc. In (a crisis, difficulty, etc.).

n. - stage in a scale, series, or process.

- stage in intensity or amount (in some degree).

- unit of measurement of an angle or arc.

- unit in a scale of temperature, hardness, etc.

- extent of burns.

- academic rank conferred by a polytechnic, university, etc.

- grade of crime (first-degree murder).

- step in direct genealogical descent.

- social rank. by degrees gradually. [latin gradus step]

v. (usu. As dejected adj.) Make sad; depress. dejectedly adv. Dejection n. [latin jacio throw]

v. (-ting) remove (a letter, word, etc.), esp. By striking out. deletion n. [latin deleo]