Hypertext Webster Gateway: "defection"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Defection \De*fec"tion\, n. [L. defectio: cf. F. d['e]fection.
See {Defect}.]
Act of abandoning a person or cause to which one is bound by
allegiance or duty, or to which one has attached himself;
desertion; failure in duty; a falling away; apostasy;
backsliding. ``Defection and falling away from God.'' --Sir
W. Raleigh.
The general defection of the whole realm. --Sir J.
Davies.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
defection
n 1: withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or
responsibility; "his abandonment of his wife and
children left them penniless" [syn: {desertion}, {abandonment}]
2: the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your
political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing
beliefs or causes) [syn: {apostasy}, {renunciation}]
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