Deficit
/ˈdɛfɪsɪt/noun
The amount by which something, especially a sum of money, is too small.
Did you know?The term 'deficit' originates from Latin, where it was linked to concepts of failure and lack, intertwining with financial loss and misfortune.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
deficere
“to fail or be missing”
Old French
Old French
deficite
“a failure or lack of something”
Middle English
Middle English
deficite
“a shortfall or inadequacy”
Modern English
English
deficit
“a deficiency in amount or quality, especially in financial terms”
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