Deficiency

in amount quality; lack. Defend, de-fend', v. t. To repel danger or harm from, guard from injury. (Law.) To deny, as claim of a plaintiff; to contest, as a suit. — Defendant,/*. One who makes defense against evil; defend-; er. (Law.) The party opposing a complaint, demand, or charge, at law or in equity. — Defen's ative, — -sa-tiv, n. That which serves to guard or defend, as a plaster for a wound. — Defense', -fence', n. Act of, state of being, or that which, etc.; protection: guard; fortification; apology; justification. v. t. (Law.) The defendant's answer or plea. — Defensele , -fencele , a. Destitute of defense; unprotected.— Defen's ible, -st-bl, a. Capable of being defended.— Defen's ive, -siv, n. Serving to deor fend; proper for delense; carried on by resisting attack; in a state or posture to defend. — n. That of which defends; a safeguard. Defer, de-fer', v. t. [-fekred (-ferd'), -ferring.] To put off, postpone to a future time, delay, adjourn, protract. — v. i. To put off, delay, wait. Defer, de-fer', v. t. To lay before, submit respectfully, refer. — r. i. To yield from respect to the wishes of another. —Deference, n. A yielding of judgment or preierence to the opinion of another; regard; respect. — Deferen'tial, -shal, a. Expre ing deference; accustomed to defer. Defiance, Defier. etc. See under Defy.