deficiency
n.-
1 lack of a nutrient (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Medicinea lack of something your body needs to stay healthy, like a vitamin.
an insufficiency of a substance, such as a vitamin or mineral, that is essential for healthy physiological functioning.
ExampleA vitamin C deficiency can make you feel very tired and weak.
ExampleThe patient presented with symptoms consistent with a severe iron deficiency, likely exacerbated by a restrictive diet and high physical activity.
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'of'.
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2 a flaw or weakness (n.) C1 Advanced Formala weakness or a way in which something is not good enough.
a failure to reach a required standard or a specific flaw in a system, plan, or character.
ExampleThe report pointed out a serious deficiency in the school's safety rules.
ExampleThe audit identified several structural deficiencies in the company's internal accounting procedures that required immediate rectification.
UsageCommonly used in formal reports and academic evaluations.
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3 mathematical gap (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Matha specific measurement of how much a mathematical shape or system is missing.
a technical measure of the amount by which a geometric or linear system falls short of a maximum or complete state.
ExampleThe professor explained how to calculate the deficiency of the curve.
ExampleIn algebraic geometry, the deficiency of a curve relates to the number of double points compared to the maximum possible for its degree.
From deficient + -cy. Compare Latin dēficientia.