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.