deficiency etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: deficientia, from deficere "to desert, fail"
  • Origin: deficere, from de- "away" + facere "to make, do"

Meaning and Origin:

"Deficiency" refers to a lack or inadequacy of something essential. It has been used in English since the 14th century with the sense of "a failure or fault." The term originated from the Latin word "deficere," which means "to desert, fail," or "to fall away." The prefix "de-" in Latin indicates separation or away from something, while "facere" means "to make" or "to do."

In its original usage, "deficere" referred to the act of abandoning or failing to fulfill a duty or obligation. It was also used in the sense of "to be lacking or deficient in something." Over time, the term "deficiency" came to be used more specifically to describe a lack or inadequacy of something necessary or important.

In modern usage, "deficiency" is used in various contexts, including:

  • Medical: A deficiency refers to a lack of a specific nutrient, vitamin, or other substance needed for normal bodily function.
  • Nutritional: A deficiency refers to a lack of essential nutrients in the diet.
  • Psychological: A deficiency refers to a deficit in a person's emotional, cognitive, or behavioral functioning.
  • Economic: A deficiency refers to a shortage of resources, such as money or goods.
  • Technical: A deficiency refers to a flaw or inadequacy in a system or device.

deficiency relate terms

  • AIDS

    Etymology AIDS is an acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Meaning AIDS is

  • acquired

    Etymology From Latin acquirere to acquire from ad toward quaerere to seek

  • immune

    Etymology The word immune comes from the Latin word immunis which means free from

  • deficiency

    Etymology Latin deficientia from deficere to desert fail Origin deficere from de

  • syndrome

    Etymology From French syndrome group of symptoms from Greek syndromē a running tog

  • immunodeficiency

    Etymology im Latin without not having munis Latin fortified protected defended

  • immune

    Etymology The word immune comes from the Latin word immunis which means free from

  • deficiency

    Etymology Latin deficientia from deficere to desert fail Origin deficere from de

  • lack

    Etymology Middle English lacken from Old Norse lakr Meaning The absence or defi

  • want

    Etymology Want From Old English wantan meaning lacking deficient or destitut

  • fault

    Etymology The word fault derives from the Middle French faulte meaning lack or d

  • pellagra

    Etymology Pellagra is derived from the Italian phrase pelle agra meaning rough skin

  • complete

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words étymos meaning true and

  • rickets

    Etymology Origin Middle English rekkets 16th century Etymology From Old English wri

  • defalcation

    Etymology Late Latin defalcatio a cutting off subtraction Medieval Latin defalcare

  • absence

    Etymology From Old French absence from Latin absentia being away from absens aw

  • need

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true m

  • dene

    Etymology The English word dene is derived from the Old English word denu or dene