deficit deficit /ˈdɛfəsət/

noun

1. () The property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required  ( shortfall , deficit , shortage )
   the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required
    New blood vessels bud out from the already dilated vascular bed to make up the nutritional deficit
   new blood vessels bud out from the already dilated vascular bed to make up the nutritional deficit
   
2. An excess of liabilities over assets (usually over a certain period)  ( deficit )
   an excess of liabilities over assets (usually over a certain period)
    Last year there was a serious budgetary deficit
   last year there was a serious budgetary deficit
   
3. (sport) the score by which a team or individual is losing  ( deficit )
   (sport) the score by which a team or individual is losing
   
4. A deficiency or failure in neurological or mental functioning  ( deficit )
   a deficiency or failure in neurological or mental functioning
    The people concerned have a deficit in verbal memory
   the people concerned have a deficit in verbal memory
    They have serious linguistic deficits
   they have serious linguistic deficits