Question

what is the meaning of the word deficient as used in the passage? scurvy is a nutritional disorder caused by a diet lacking in vitamin c. near the end of the fifteenth century, scurvy was the major cause of illness and death among sailors on lengthy ocean voyages, because their diets were often deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables. in 1753, scottish surgeon james lind showed that scurvy could be treated and prevented by consuming citrus fruits. irregular or not uniform imperfect or flawed not having enough of something needed

Explanation:

The passage mentions scurvy is caused by a diet lacking in vitamin C, and sailors' diets were deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables. So "deficient" here means not having enough of something needed.

Answer:

not having enough of something needed