de·fect (d  f kt , d -fkt)n. 1. The lack of something necessary or desirable for completion or perfection; a deficiency: a visual defect. 2. An imperfection that causes inadequacy or failure; a shortcoming. See Synonyms at blemish. intr.v. (d -fkt) de·fect·ed, de·fect·ing, de·fects 1. To disown allegiance to one's country and take up residence in another: a Soviet citizen who defected to Israel. 2. To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group: defected from the party over the issue of free trade. [Middle English, from Latin d fectus, failure, want, from past participle of dficere, to desert, be wanting : d-, de- + facere, to do; see dh- in Indo-European roots.]de·fec tion n.de·fec tor n. |
A person who repudiates his or her country when beyond its jurisdiction or control.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | defector - a person who abandons their duty (as on a military post) armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker" deviationist - an ideological defector from the party line (especially from orthodox communism) draft dodger, draft evader - someone who is drafted and illegally refuses to serve renegade - someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw walk-in - an operative who initiates his own defection (usually to a hostile country) for political asylum |
defector
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