shortcoming

short +‎ coming

shortcoming (plural shortcomings)

1. deficiency
   • 2013, Daniel Taylor, Rickie Lambert's debut goal gives England victory over Scotland (in The Guardian, 14 August 2013)

     They were behind twice, first to James Morrison's 11th-minute strike and then Kenny Miller's effort early in the second half. England responded with goals of their own from Theo Walcott and Daniel Welbeck and, on the balance of play, probably deserved the victory. On the flip-side, they could conceivably have lost because of their various shortcomings in defence. They also have a goalkeeper, Joe Hart, who is a danger to his own team on nights like these.

• shortcoming in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• shortcoming in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.