Defectively

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /dɪˈfɛktɪvli/

Definitions

1. In a manner that exhibits faults or inadequacies
2. In a way that is characterized by errors or malfunctions
3. Acting or occurring with a lack of completeness or correctness

Etymology: "Defectively" is a plain formation: the adjective "defective" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" attached, meaning "in a faulty manner." The adjective "defective" comes from Latin "defectivus," built on "deficere," to fail or be lacking, which is the same root behind "deficient" and "defect." The suffix does most of the work here. It descends from an old Germanic word for "body" or "form," which in Old English became "-lic" and then, through Middle English, the modern "-ly." Attached to an adjective, it turns a quality into a manner: a "defective" thing becomes something done "defectively."

Synonyms: imperfectly, faultily, inadequately, flawed, substandard

Antonyms: perfectly, flawlessly, adequately, correctly, satisfactorily