Careful Words

defect (n.)

defect (v.)

So may a glory from defect arise.

Robert Browning (1812-1890): Deaf and Dumb.

Find out the cause of this effect,

Or rather say, the cause of this defect,

For this effect defective comes by cause.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Hamlet. Act ii. Sc. 2.

  When you wander, as you often delight to do, you wander indeed, and give never such satisfaction as the curious time requires. This is not caused by any natural defect, but first for want of election, when you, having a large and fruitful mind, should not so much labour what to speak as to find what to leave unspoken. Rich soils are often to be weeded.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Letter of Expostulation to Coke.

Fine by defect, and delicately weak.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 43.