Pronunciation: [wɜː dɪfˈɛktɪv] (IPA) 
The spelling of "were defective" follows the typical English pronunciation of the word "were," /wər/, followed by the /d/ sound from "defective," /dɪˈfɛktɪv/. The "e" in "were" is pronounced as a schwa sound, /ə/, and the "d" in "defective" is voiced, as indicated by the diacritic mark under the letter "d." Together, these sounds form the phrase "were defective," pronounced as /wər dɪˈfɛktɪv/.
"Were defective" refers to the past tense of the verb "to be" in conjunction with the adjective "defective." It implies that something was not functioning properly or had a flaw or fault.
The term "defective" signifies that the object or item did not meet the expected standards of quality or function. It suggests that there was an inherent problem with its design, manufacture, or performance, rendering it unreliable or inefficient in fulfilling its intended purpose. Defectiveness can manifest in various ways, such as a malfunction, missing parts, structural weakness, or inadequate performance. Common examples of defective items include faulty appliances, flawed electronic devices, or flawed construction materials.
When used in the past tense, "were defective" indicates that the state of being defective existed at a specific time in the past. It can refer to an observation made or a condition identified after determining that the item or object exhibited faults or deficiencies.
The phrase can be frequently encountered in contexts involving product warranties, quality control assessments, or customer complaints. It signifies that the item failed to meet the expected standards, requiring repair, replacement, or refund. Identifying if items "were defective" is crucial for assessors, manufacturers, or sellers as it determines the appropriate course of action to rectify the issues.
The phrase "were defective" is not a standalone word with an etymology; instead, it is a combination of two words: "were" and "defective". Here is the etymology of each word:
1. Were:
word "were" is the past tense of the verb "be", which comes from Old English "wǣron" and Middle English "were". It traces back to West Germanic "wēraz", Proto-Germanic "*wēz-" and Proto-Indo-European "*h₁wes-", meaning "exist" or "live".
2. Defective:
word "defective" comes from Latin "defectivus", which means "faulty, failing". It is derived from the verb "deficere" (to fail, desert) which combines "de" (away, off) and "facere" (do, make).
