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défaut

fault, flaw

noun deh-FOH Less Common

Origin: Old French defaute, from defaillir 'to be lacking'

Also means

default (computing/legal)

Usage Note

Défaut covers character flaws (ses défauts et ses qualités), physical defects in an object, and the default state in computing or law. The phrase à défaut de means 'for lack of' or 'in the absence of', and par défaut means 'by default'.

Examples

"Son principal défaut est l'impatience."

Natural Translation

His main flaw is impatience.

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