imperfection
/ɪmpɚˈfɛkʃən/
imperfection means those qualities or features that are imperfect; the characteristic, state, or quality of being imperfect. It carries an Arena rating of 1605, earned across 21 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, imperfection ranks #865 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words, #7,224 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words, #8,469 of 17,131 for Scariest Words, #9,130 of 17,138 for Most Incisive Words.
imperfection is pronounced /ɪmpɚˈfɛkʃən/.
Why “imperfection” is a great word
IMPERFECTION — [Noun] A quality, feature, or element that constitutes a shortcoming or flaw, making something less than perfect. From Old French imperfeccion, from Late Latin imperfectiōnem (stem imperfectiō, "incompleteness"), from Latin im- ("not") + perfectiō ("a finishing, perfection"). First attested in English in the late 14th century. Unlike "flaw," which implies a concrete, specific fault, or "blemish," which denotes a superficial mar, "imperfection" is the broader, more forgiving state of inherent non-completion. It is the slight warp in a hand-thrown bowl that fits better in the palm, the single dropped stitch that renders a tapestry uniquely its own, and the crack in a vintage teacup repaired with gold—the quiet, necessary signature of a thing that was made, has lived, and is therefore authentically itself.
Etymology
From Old French imperfeccion, see im- + perfection.
noun
- Those qualities or features that are imperfect; the characteristic, state, or quality of being imperfect.e.g.“You can accept your imperfection or try to improve.”
- Something that makes something else less than perfect; a blemish, impurity, error, etc.e.g.“He loves me despite my imperfections.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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