flaw

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++flaw /flɔː $ flɒː/ ●○○ noun [countable]  1  FAULT/something WRONGa mistake, mark, or weakness that makes something imperfect 瑕疵，缺点 SYN defectflaw in a flaw in the software 该软件的缺点serious/major/basic/minor etc flaw a slight flaw in the glass 玻璃上的一点小瑕疵 A design flaw (=a mistake or weakness in the way something was made) caused the engine to explode. 一个设计缺陷导致了引擎爆炸。► see thesaurus at fault2  FAULT/something WRONGa mistake or problem in an argument, plan, set of ideas etc 〔论点、计划、思想等中的〕错误，缺陷flaw of Beautiful scenery does not make up for the flaws of this film. 美丽的风光弥补不了此影片的不足。flaw in There is a fundamental flaw in Walton’s argument. 沃尔顿的论点中有一个根本性的错误。fatal flaw (=a weakness that makes something certain to fail) 致命缺点3  FAULT/something WRONGa fault in someone’s character 〔性格上的〕缺陷，缺点 Jealousy is Othello’s major flaw. 嫉妒是奥赛罗的主要弱点。 the president’s character flaws 总统的性格缺陷

Examples from the Corpus

flaw• a character flaw• The Web browser is nice, but it also has its flaws.• One of the major flaws in the existing system is that the prosecutor has immunity from law suits claiming malicious prosecution.• Regulatory agencies uncovered numerous flaws in operating and safety procedures.• In this he was fatally handicapped by his own inconsistencies, paradoxes and deep personal flaws.• It was half price because of a slight flaw.• These transitions would not occur altogether smoothly - flaws would be created, like the planes and lines formed when water freezes.• They were, in any case, fairly trivial flaws.design flaw• No one is saying there is a design flaw in the Boeing 757.• But the $ 86 billion F-22 program has been plagued with mismanagement, design flaws and soaring costs.fatal flaw• But there is a fatal flaw in such policies: they assume that all cultures are equal in power.• False percentages A fatal flaw in using percentages is to try and add them up when this is not really possible.• Still and all, these are familiar, far-from-fatal flaws typical of a first feature.• Yet yesterday's report, which highlighted fatal flaws in the system, showed that was clearly not the case.• She warns of thirst for knowledge tipping over into dangerous greed, and of youthful promise lost for one fatal flaw.• His reconstruction of the crimes had suffered from one fatal flaw.• Many have argued that one of the fatal flaws a manager can have is unwillingness or inability to delegate.From Longman Business Dictionaryflawflaw /flɔːflɒː/ noun [countable]1a mistake or weakness in a machine, system etc that prevents it from working correctlyflaw inThe drought exposed a serious flaw in the dam.Investigators believe that a design flaw (=mistake or weakness in the way something was made) in the reactor’s cooling system caused the accident.The space telescope had a fundamental flaw (=a very basic and serious one) in one of its two mirrors.2a mistake in an argument, plan, or set of ideasflaw inSmall banks are missing from the plan and this is the main flaw in the Treasury’s approach.There’s a fatal flaw (=serious weakness which makes something wrong) in their logic.Origin flaw (1300-1400) Perhaps from Old Norse flaga “flat stone”; → FLAG1

flaw nounChinese  

mistake, something mark, imperfect that or weakness Business Corpus a makes

flaw
flaw /flɔː $ flɒː/ noun [countable]1. a mistake, mark, or weakness that makes something imperfect
   SYN  defect
    flaw in
    a flaw in the software
    serious/major/basic/minor etc flaw
    a slight flaw in the glass
    A design flaw (=a mistake or weakness in the way something was made) caused the engine to explode.
2. a mistake or problem in an argument, plan, set of ideas etc
    flaw of
    Beautiful scenery does not make up for the flaws of this film.
    flaw in
    There is a fundamental flaw in Walton’s argument.
    fatal flaw (=a weakness that makes something certain to fail)
3. a fault in someone’s character:
    Jealousy is Othello’s major flaw.
    the President’s character flaws
     

THESAURUS

■ something wrong
   ▪ fault a problem in a machine, system, design etc that causes damage or makes it not work properly: The fire was caused by an electrical fault. | a fault in the engine
   ▪ defect a fault in something such as a product or machine, resulting from the way it was made or designed: Cars are tested for defects before they leave the factory.
   ▪ weakness a part of a plan, system, or argument that is not as good as the other parts, and makes it likely to fail: What are the strengths and weaknesses of each method?
   ▪ flaw a fault in a plan, system, argument etc, especially one that makes it useless or not effective: Your argument has a fundamental flaw. | There was one major flaw in his suggestion – we didn’t have enough money.
   ▪ bug a fault in a computer program: A bug in the system was quickly fixed.
   ▪ glitch a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be easily corrected: I noticed a small glitch when installing the software.
   ▪ mistake something that is wrong in someone’s spelling, grammar, calculations etc: The article was full of spelling mistakes.
   ▪ there’s something wrong with something used when saying that there is a problem in a machine, car etc, but you do not know what it is: There’s something wrong with the computer – it won’t close down.

flawBrE /flɔː/ 🔊NAmE /flɔː/ 🔊 nouna mistake in sth that means that it is not correct or does not work correctly 错误；缺点 SYN defect, fault ◆The argument is full of fundamental flaws. 这段论述充满根本性的错误。🔊🔊◆~ in sth The report reveals fatal flaws in security at the airport. 报告揭示了机场安全的致命缺陷。🔊🔊~ (in sth) a crack or fault in sth that makes it less attractive or valuable 裂痕；裂隙；瑕疵~ (in sb/sth) a weakness in sb's character （性格上的）弱点，缺点◆There is always a flaw in the character of a tragic hero. 悲剧主角总有性格上的缺点。🔊🔊