noun

imperfection

im-per-FEK-shuhn/ˌɪmpərˈfekʃn/

A flaw or the state of not being perfect.

A small crack is the tabletop’s only conspicuous imperfection.

Close-up of a polished wooden tabletop with one small conspicuous knot and narrow surface crack, furniture maker's fingertip gently indicates this single local imperfection while the surrounding wood is smooth and beautiful.

Etymology

imLatinnot

+perfectLatinfinished, complete

+ionLatinstate or action

The pieces express a state of being “not complete.” From incompleteness or deficiency in general, imperfection came to name an individual fault or flaw.

In context

Dr Laurence Shafe16:39

a local youth is reportedly said to have defaced the wet plaster remember these are frescos and Pierro retained as an intentional artifact that um imperfection

10-03 Piero della Francesca

More examples

She accepted the work’s imperfections.
The design allowed for minor imperfection in the material.
His account acknowledged human imperfection.

Forms

imperfection · imperfections

imperfect adjective — having flaws or limitations

Similar words

flaw: A flaw is an individual defect; imperfection can also mean the general state of being imperfect.
blemish: A blemish is often a visible surface flaw; an imperfection can be structural or abstract.