Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IM-PER-FEC'TION, n. [Fr. from L. imperfectio, supra.]

1. Defect; fault; the want of a part or of something necessary to complete a thing; equally applicable to physical or moral subjects. When fruit fails to come to maturity, and after it begins to decay, we denominate the defect, an imperfection. Laws sometimes fail of the intended effect, either from their imperfection, or from the imperfection of the administration. Men are all chargeable with imperfections, both in character and in conduct.
2. In book-binding, a sheet or signature wanting to complete a book.