World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesDefector
/dɪˈfɛk.tər/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A person who abandons their country or cause in favor of an opposing one.
"The defector provided crucial intelligence to the enemy forces." - 2
A person who leaves a group or organization to join another, especially in a political or military context.
"After years of service, the soldier became a defector, seeking asylum in a foreign nation."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Latin defectus, past participle of deficere meaning to desert, fail, or revolt (from de- down, away + facere to do). Entering English in the late 16th century via French, the term originally denoted someone who abandoned a religious, political, or military allegiance for a rival cause.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Defector"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Defector" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
défecteur
Transliteration: défecteur
"Le défecteur a révélé des informations sensibles."
Abtrünniger
Transliteration: Abtrünniger
"Der Abtrünniger gab geheime Informationen preis."
disertore
Transliteration: disertore
"Il disertore ha cercato asilo in un altro paese."
desertor
Transliteration: desertor
"El desertor proporcionó información valiosa."
desertor
Transliteration: desertor
"O desertor fugiu para um país vizinho."
देशद्रोही
Transliteration: deshdrohi
"देशद्रोही ने महत्वपूर्ण जानकारी साझा की।"
叛逃者
Transliteration: pàntáozhě
"叛逃者提供了重要的情报。"
탈주자
Transliteration: taljuja
"탈주자는 중요한 정보를 제공했습니다."
脱藩者
Transliteration: dappansha
"脱藩者は重要な情報を提供しました。"
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