Definition of defective

The term "defective" has its roots in the Latin word "defficio," which translates to "to betray" or "to fail." This word made its way into Old French as "desfeccioun" and finally into Middle English as "defecioun" in the 14th century. In its earliest usage, the term was primarily applied to objects or materials that were flawed or had been damaged. However, by the late 18th century, "defective" had taken on a new meaning, specifically in the context of people with disabilities or impairments. The use of "defective" in this sense gained momentum in the mid-19th century when new institutions for housing and caring for people with disabilities, known as "defective asylums," emerged in response to growing concerns about societal obligations towards such individuals. The term continued to be commonly used during the first half of the 20th century, particularly in legislation and policy related to education and employment for people with disabilities, and was often used interchangeably with words like "handicapped" and "crippled." However, in recent decades, there has been a shift away from the term "defective" due to its pejorative connotations and its failure to fully recognize or celebrate the unique strengths and abilities that many people with disabilities possess. As a result, alternative terms like "differently-abled" or "person with a disability" are now more commonly used in place of "defective."