deficit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required

   new blood vessels bud out from the already dilated vascular bed to make up the nutritional deficit

2. 2
   noun

   an excess of liabilities over assets, usually over a certain period

   Last year there was a serious budgetary deficit.

3. 3
   noun

   a deficiency or failure in neurological or mental functioning

   the people concerned have a deficit in verbal memory

4. 4
   noun

   Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack.

   The crop output this year has been comparatively small, owing to the deficit in rainfall.

5. 5
   noun

   A situation wherein, or amount whereby, spending exceeds (e.g. government) revenue.

   Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them.

6. 6
   noun

   (sports) the score by which a team or individual is losing

Etymology

From French déficit, from Latin dēficit. Related to defect.