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The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner
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Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
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defector

IPA:

How to pronounce defector (audio)

Dictionary definition of defector

An individual who has abandoned or renounced their previous allegiance, loyalty, or support to a group, organization, country, or cause.
"The intelligence agency recruited the defector as a double agent."

Detailed meaning of defector

A defector is someone who has made the conscious decision to separate themselves from a previous affiliation and join or align with a different group or cause. This act often involves a public or formal announcement of disavowal, denouncing their previous association. Defectors can emerge in various contexts, such as politics, military, espionage, or even religious groups, where they choose to abandon their previous beliefs, loyalties, or obligations. Defectors may be driven by a variety of factors, including ideological differences, dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, personal motives, or a desire for change. Their decision to defect is often viewed with skepticism or mistrust by the group they leave behind and can carry significant consequences for their personal and professional life. Defectors can play a crucial role in providing insight, intelligence, or testimonies that shed light on the inner workings or misconduct of the group they defected from.

Example sentences containing defector

1. The defector, once loyal, now exposes the regime's secrets to the world.
2. She became a defector, trading loyalty for a chance at freedom.
3. Every defector has a story of courage, fear, and a pursuit of truth.
4. As a defector, John revealed dark truths hidden by his former allies.
5. A famed defector joined our ranks, bringing knowledge and insight.
6. The defector's tales of oppression fueled the rebels' determination.

History and etymology of defector

The noun 'defector' is derived from the verb 'defect,' which, as discussed earlier, has its origins in the Latin word 'defectus,' originating from 'deficere.' In Latin, 'de' means 'away' or 'off,' and 'ficere' is derived from 'facere,' meaning 'to do' or 'to make.' Therefore, the etymology of 'defector' shares the same roots, signifying an individual who has taken the action of 'doing away with' or 'abandoning' their previous allegiance, loyalty, or support to a specific group, organization, country, or cause. The term 'defector' maintains a direct link to its Latin origins, emphasizing the act of departure from a prior affiliation, making it aptly suited to describe those who have renounced their former allegiances.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun defector:

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Further usage examples of defector

1. News headlines spotlighted the defector, a hero to the oppressed.
2. Mark, a defector, escaped at night, evading capture and death.
3. As a defector, Lisa's voice became a weapon against tyranny.
4. One defector’s testimony can unmask the deceptions of a regime.
5. In the dead of night, another defector made the perilous cross.
6. A defector emerged, his stories echoing the pain of a nation.
7. They embraced the defector, a bearer of truth and revelations.
8. This brave defector unearths the hidden, sinister workings within.
9. He’s a defector; yesterday’s ally is today’s informant and ally.
10. The defector provided invaluable information on the enemy's military capabilities.
11. The government granted asylum to the defector and his family.
12. The defector's account of life under the oppressive regime was eye-opening.
13. Security was tightened at the border to prevent any defector from escaping.
14. The spy agency made contact with a high-ranking defector from the adversary country.
15. The defector's memoir became a bestseller, as people were intrigued by his story.
16. The defector appeared in a press conference to detail the human rights abuses in his homeland.
17. The defector was offered a new identity and protection by the authorities.
18. The defector revealed the clandestine operations that were being conducted against allied nations.
19. The defector was honored with an award for his courage and contribution to world peace.
20. The government tried to discredit the defector by spreading rumors about his past.
21. The defector's family still living in his home country faced severe persecution after his escape.
22. The intelligence agency had been communicating with the defector for months before his escape.
23. The defector was initially hesitant to share information, fearing retaliation against his family.
24. The defector's escape was a well-coordinated operation involving several countries and secret safe houses.

Suffix -or, SAT 1 (Scholastic Assessment Test), Departure and Leaving, Renunciation and Suspension

apostate,deserter,dissenter,dissident,rebel,renegade,traitor,turncoat

absconder,emigrant,escapee,runaway

deserter, loyalist, adherent, supporter

eb68db_51e778bc34ab43bfa901cfa3f3e7425a.mp3

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