Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-FI'CIEN-CY, or DE-FI'CIENCE, n. [L. deficiens, from deficio, to fail, de and facio, to do.]

1. A failing; a falling short; imperfection; as, a deficiency in moral duties.
2. Want; defect; something less than is necessary; as, a deficiency of means; a deficiency of revenue; a deficiency of blood.