1. (

• insufficiency ,
• inadequacy

) a lack of competence; "pointed out the insufficiencies in my report"; "juvenile offenses often reflect an inadequacy in the parents" ;

2. (

• insufficiency

) (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally ;

3. (

• insufficiency ,
• inadequacy ,
• deficiency

) lack of an adequate quantity or number; "the inadequacy of unemployment benefits" ;