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Deficient

adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Lacking something essential; often construed with in.

    "They were deficient in social skills."

  2. 2
    Insufficient or inadequate in amount.

    "Apothecia lecanoroid; multilocular; each cell containing a single theke; paraphyses deficient."

  3. 3
    Of a number n, Having the sum of divisors σ(n)<2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n)<n.
Adjective
  1. 1
    inadequate in amount or degree wordnet
  2. 2
    falling short of some prescribed norm wordnet
  3. 3
    of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A person who is deficient.

    "This was justified by the rationale that mental deficients, by definition, are not able to succeed in society."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Latin deficiens, present participle of deficere (“to lack, fail, be wanting”); see defect.

Etymology 2

From Latin deficiens, present participle of deficere (“to lack, fail, be wanting”); see defect.

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