Читаем Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

de|fib|ril|la|tor /diːf I br I le I tə ^r / (defibrillators ) N‑COUNT A defibrillator is a machine that starts the heart beating normally again after a heart attack, by giving it an electric shock. [MEDICAL ]

de|fi|cien|cy /d I f I ʃ ^ə nsi/ (deficiencies )

1 N‑VAR Deficiency in something, especially something that your body needs, is not having enough of it. □  They did blood tests on him for signs of vitamin deficiency.

2 N‑VAR A deficiency that someone or something has is a weakness or imperfection in them. [FORMAL ] □  …a serious deficiency in our air defence.

de|fi|cient /d I f I ʃ ^ə nt/

1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is deficient in a particular thing, they do not have the full amount of it that they need in order to function normally or work properly. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in ] …a diet deficient in vitamin B. ● COMB Deficient is also a combining form. □  Vegetarians can become iron-deficient.

2 ADJ Someone or something that is deficient is not good enough for a particular purpose. [FORMAL ] □  …deficient landing systems.

defi|cit ◆◆◇ /de fəs I t/ (deficits ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A deficit is the amount by which something is less than what is required or expected, especially the amount by which the total money received is less than the total money spent. □  They're ready to cut the federal budget deficit for the next fiscal year. ● PHRASE If an account or organization is in deficit , more money has been spent than has been received. □  The current account of the balance of payments is in deficit. COLLOCATIONS deficit NOUN

noun + deficit : budget, pension, trade

verb + deficit : cut, eliminate, halve, reduce; tackle SYNONYMS deficit NOUN

shortfall:The government has refused to make up a £30,000 shortfall in funding.

shortage:A shortage of funds is preventing the U.N. from monitoring relief.

de|file /d I fa I l/ (defiles , defiling , defiled )

1 VERB To defile something that people think is important or holy means to do something to it or say something about it which is offensive. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] He had defiled the sacred name of the Holy Prophet.

2 N‑COUNT A defile is a very narrow valley or passage, usually through mountains. [FORMAL ]

de|fin|able /d I fa I nəb ^ə l/ ADJ Something that is definable can be described or identified. □  Many suffered from a definable mental disorder. □  …groups broadly definable as conservative.

de|fine ◆◇◇ /d I fa I n/ (defines , defining , defined )

1 VERB If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like. □ [V wh] We were unable to define what exactly was wrong with him. □ [V n] He was asked to define his concept of cool. ●  de|fined ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] □  …a party with a clearly defined programme and strict rules of membership.

2 VERB If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary. □ [V n + as ] Collins English Dictionary defines a workaholic as 'a person obsessively addicted to work'. SYNONYMS define VERB 1

describe:The myth of Narcissus is described in Ovid's work.

interpret:The whole speech could be interpreted as a coded message to the Americans.

characterize:Both companies have characterized the relationship as friendly.

de|fined /d I fa I nd/ ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] If something is clearly defined or strongly defined , its outline is clear or strong. □  A clearly defined track now leads down to the valley.

defi|nite /de f I n I t/