Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1700-1800
Language: French
Origin: déficit, from Latin deficit 'it lacks', from deficere; DEFECT1

deficit

 noun
     
def‧i‧cit [countable]
the difference between the amount of something that you have and the higher amount that you need [↪ shortfall]:
the country's widening budget deficit
the US's foreign trade deficit
deficit of
a deficit of £2.5 million
deficit in
Many countries have a big deficit in food supply.
in deficit
The US balance of payments was in deficit.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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