De*fi"cient (?), a. [L. deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of deficere to be wanting. See Defect.] Wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective; imperfect; incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts; deficient estate; deficient strength; deficient in judgment.
The style was indeed deficient in ease and variety.
Macaulay.
Deficient number. Arith. See under Abundant.
-- De*fi"cient-ly, adv.
© Webster 1913. | 
