DEFECTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does defective mean? 

• DEFECTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective DEFECTIVE has 3 senses:

1. having a defect

2. markedly subnormal in structure or function or intelligence or behavior

3. not working properly

  Familiarity information: DEFECTIVE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEFECTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having a defect

Synonyms:

defective; faulty

Context example:

I returned the appliance because it was defective

Similar:

imperfect (not perfect; defective or inadequate)

Derivation:

defectiveness (the state of being defective)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Markedly subnormal in structure or function or intelligence or behavior

Context example:

defective speech

Similar:

abnormal; unnatural (not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Not working properly

Synonyms:

bad; defective

Context example:

a defective appliance

Similar:

malfunctioning; nonfunctional (not performing or able to perform its regular function)

Derivation:

defectiveness (the state of being defective)

 Context examples 

Disruption of desmosomal function by defective proteins might lead to death of myocytes under mechanical stress.

(Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

Mutation of the gene is associated with both familial ligand-defective apolipoprotein B-100 and familial hypobetalipoproteinemia type 1.

(APOB wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

The normal version of the gene that is defective in AT appears to activate the p53-dependent response to DNA damage.

(Ataxia Telangiectasia Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

A vaccine consisting of replication-defective recombinant adenovirus that encodes for Bcl-Xs with potential antineoplastic activity.

(Bcl-Xs Adenovirus Vaccine, NCI Thesaurus)

Accordingly, brostallicin may be effective against MMR-defective tumors that are refractory to various anticancer agents.

(Brostallicin, NCI Thesaurus)

A therapeutic cancer vaccine, based on a replication-defective recombinant canarypox virus (ALVAC) encoding multiple melanoma antigens, with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities.

(ALVAC(2) Melanoma Multi-antigen Vaccine, NCI Thesaurus)

A cancer vaccine containing a replication-defective recombinant canarypox virus (ALVAC), encoding an epitope of MART-1 (melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells), with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities.

(ALVAC-MART-1 Vaccine, NCI Thesaurus)

“In point of composition,” said Mary, “the letter does not seem defective. The idea of the olive-branch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I think it is well expressed.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

APC mutant cells form mitotic spindles with microtubules that ineffectively connect with kinetochores, leading to chromosomal instability and defective chromosome segregation.

(Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

These abnormalities result from defective production of alpha-1 antitrypsin and lead to the development of emphysema, cirrhosis, and liver failure.

(Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, NCI Thesaurus)