De-fĕc'tive, a.

a. [Lat. defectivus, Fr. défectif, Pr. defectiu, Sp. & Pg. defectivo, It. difettivo. See DE-FECT.]

1. Wanting in substance, quantity, or quality; incomplete; lacking a part; not full, entire, or perfect; deficient; faulty; applied either to natural or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a defective character; defective rules.
2. (Gram.) Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb.