dēfectus

I. (For defectio, no. I.) Defection, revolt: magno animo defectum eorum tulit, Curt. 7, 19, 39 Mützell.: legionum, Capitol. Macr. 8.—

II. ( = defectio, no. III.) A failing, failure, lack, disappearance (freq. in the elder Pliny; elsewhere rare): lactis (mammae), Plin. 20, 23, 96, § 256: stomachi, id. 19, 5, 29, § 92: animi, id. 20, 2, 6, § 12: albicante purpurae defectu, id. 37, 9, 40, § 123: in tanto defectu rerum, Amm. 16, 5, 5. Of the eclipsing of the heavenly bodies: solis, Lucr. 5, 751; imitated by Verg. G. 2, 478: ejus (sc. lunae) species ac forma mutatur tum crescendo, tum defectibus in initia recurrendo, Cic. N. D. 2, 19 fin.