deficienza

deficiency, lack

noun deh-fee-CHEN-tsah Rare

Origin: From Latin deficientia, from deficere (to be lacking).

Also means

weakness, shortcoming

Usage Note

Deficienza can refer to a shortage (deficienza di vitamina D — vitamin D deficiency) or to a personal weakness in ability (ha delle deficienze in matematica — he has weaknesses in maths). As an informal, somewhat rude term it can mean stupidity; use with care in formal contexts. It is always feminine.

Examples

"La deficienza di ferro può causare stanchezza."

Natural Translation

Iron deficiency can cause fatigue.

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