Definition

1. Noun:
   • A disorder of oral speech: A "defect of speech" is a medical or clinical term for a specific impairment, difficulty, or abnormality in a person's ability to produce spoken language clearly and fluently. It refers to a problem with the physical or neurological mechanisms of speech.

Usage

• The term "defect of speech" is a formal, often clinical or diagnostic term. It is used to describe conditions that affect speech production.
• It is typically used in medical, therapeutic, or educational contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The child's lisp was identified as a minor defect of speech.
  • After the accident, he underwent therapy to correct the defect of speech caused by the neurological damage.
  • Early intervention is crucial for managing a defect of speech.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a defect of speech": to suffer from a speech disorder.
  • The patient was noted to have a defect of speech characterized by stuttering.
• The phrase can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
  • The clinic specializes in defect of speech therapy.

Variants and Related Words

• Speech defect (n): A synonymous phrase with identical meaning.
  • "Speech defect" is a more common modern term than "defect of speech".
• Speech disorder (n): A broader, more general term for any condition affecting speech.
• Articulation disorder (n): A specific type of speech defect involving problems making sounds.
• Fluency disorder (n): A specific type of speech defect involving problems with the flow of speech, such as stuttering.

Synonyms

• Speech impediment: A condition that makes clear speech difficult.
• Speech dysfunction: A more technical term for impaired speech function.

Notes on Meaning

• The term focuses specifically on the oral production of speech. It does not refer to language comprehension or cognitive language disorders (e.g., aphasia), though these can co-occur.
• It implies a deviation from normal speech development or function.

Noun

1. a disorder of oral speech