defector
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Related to defector: defection
de·fect
(dē′fĕkt′, dĭ-fĕkt′)n.
An imperfection or lack that causes inadequacy or failure; a shortcoming or deficiency. See Synonyms at blemish.
intr.v. (dĭ-fĕkt′) de·fect·ed, de·fect·ing, de·fects
1. To disown allegiance to one's country and take up residence in another: a Soviet citizen who defected to Israel.
2. To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group: defected from the party over the issue of free trade.
[Middle English, from Latin dēfectus, failure, want, from past participle of dēficere, to desert, be wanting : dē-, de- + facere, to do; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
de·fec′tion n.
de·fec′tor n.
de•fec•tor
(dɪˈfɛk tər)n.
a person who defects from a cause or country.
[1655–65; < Latin dēfector renegade, rebel, derivative of dēficere to become disaffected, revolt, literally, to fail; see deficient]
defector
A person who repudiates his or her country when beyond its jurisdiction or control.
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| Noun | 1. | defector - a person who abandons their duty (as on a military post) armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker" deviationist - an ideological defector from the party line (especially from orthodox communism) draft dodger, draft evader - someone who is drafted and illegally refuses to serve renegade - someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw walk-in - an operative who initiates his own defection (usually to a hostile country) for political asylum |
defector
defector
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