n. 1. a. Inadequacy or insufficiency: a deficit in grain production. b. A deficiency or impairment in mental or physical functioning. 2. a. The amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required or expected amount; a shortage: large budget deficits. b. A business loss. 3. An amount that quantifies an unfavorable condition or position: rallied from a three-game deficit to win the playoffs. [French déficit, from Latin dēficit, it is lacking, third person sing. present tense of dēficere, to fail, be lacking; see DEFECT.] |
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