imperfection (redirected from imperfections)

im·per·fec·tion  (mpr-fkshn)

n.

1. The quality or condition of being imperfect.

2. Something imperfect; a defect or flaw. See Synonyms at blemish.

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imperfection [ˌɪmpəˈfɛkʃən]

n

1. the condition or quality of being imperfect

2. a fault or defect

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Imperfection 

crack’d in the ring Flawed or imperfect at the perimeter or edge; of little value or use; (of women) nonvirginal. This expression, popular during Elizabethan times, is no longer used today. It was limited in application to money, artillery, and (figuratively) to women.

diamond in the rough One whose unrefined external appearance or ungraceful behavior belies a good or gentle character and untapped potential. This expression derives from the disparity between a diamond in its natural state, before being cut and polished, and in its refined state, when it has become an impressive gem. Analogously, graceful manners and social amenities can be learned. Diamond in the rough dates from the early 17th century.

feet of clay An unforeseen blemish in the character of a person hitherto held above reproach.

The woman … finds that her golden-headed god has got an iron body and feet of clay. (Anthony Trollope, Fortnightly Review, 1865)

This expression originated with Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in the Old Testament (Daniel 2:31-45). The Babylonian king had dreamed of an image completely made of precious metals, except for its feet, which were made of clay and iron. Daniel explained that the feet represented man’s vulnerability to weakness and destruction.

Homer sometimes nods An erudite way of saying, “Nobody’s perfect.” The expression is often used to indicate that an artistic performance or endeavor has fallen below expectations or has not been of consistently high quality. The phrase’s origin lies in lines from Horace’s De Arte Poética usually translated as: “I think it shame when the worthy Homer nods; but in so long a work it is allowable if drowsiness comes on.”

mote in the eye A fault or imperfection observed in a person by one who is guilty of something equally or more objectionable. This phrase comes from Matthew 7:3:

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Mote refers to a small particle, as a bit of sawdust; beam refers to a glance, or eyebeam, formerly thought to be emitted from, rather than received by the eye. Shakespeare makes use of the allusion in Love’s Labor’s Lost:

You found his mote, the King your mote did see,
But I a beam do find in each of three. (IV, iii)

An analogous proverbial exhortation is “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

a rift in the lute A flaw or imperfection, particularly one that endangers the integrity of the whole; the one rotten apple that spoils the whole barrel. The expression, more familiar to British than American ears, comes from Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s Idylls of the King (1885):

It is the little rift within the lute,
That by and by will make the music mute,
And ever widening slowly silence all.

rough edges Characteristics or manners indicating a lack of polish, refinement, or completion. Use of rough meaning ‘lacking in culture or refinement’ dates from at least the time of Shakespeare. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when edges, probably originally referring to the edges of sawed lumber which have not been trimmed or sized, was added to make the new phrase. In current use, corners is a common variant of edges.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

imperfection - the state or an instance of being imperfect imperfectness state - the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state" failing, weakness - a flaw or weak point; "he was quick to point out his wife's failings" flaw - an imperfection in a plan or theory or legal document that causes it to fail or that reduces its effectiveness defect - an imperfection in a bodily system; "visual defects"; "this device permits detection of defects in the lungs" flaw, fault, defect - an imperfection in an object or machine; "a flaw caused the crystal to shatter"; "if there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer" wart - an imperfection in someone or something that is suggestive of a wart (especially in smallness or unattractiveness) defectiveness, faultiness - the state of being defective flawlessness, ne plus ultra, perfection - the state of being without a flaw or defect

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imperfection

noun

1. blemish, fault, defect, flaw, stain Scanners locate imperfections in the cloth.

2. fault, failing, weakness, defect, deficiency, flaw, shortcoming, inadequacy, frailty, foible, weak point He concedes that there are imperfections in the socialist system.

3. incompleteness, deficiency, inadequacy, frailty, insufficiency It is its imperfection that gives it its beauty.
incompleteness perfection, sufficiency, adequacy, consummation, completeness, faultlessness, flawlessness

Translations

imperfection [ˌɪmpəˈfekʃən] N

1. (= state of being imperfect) → imperfección f

2. (= fault) → defecto m

imperfection [ˌɪmpə^rˈfɛkʃ^ən] n

(= fault) [person] → imperfection f; [thing, system] → imperfection f

(= minor flaw) → imperfection f

imperfection

n

no pl (= faultiness) → Unvollkommenheit f, → Mangelhaftigkeit f; (= incompleteness) → Unvollständigkeit f

(= fault, defect) → Mangel m

imperfection [ˌɪmpəˈfɛkʃ/ən] n (poor quality) → imperfezione f; (flaw) → difetto, imperfezione