987 bytes added
, 18:36, September 8, 2008
'''Defection'''is a term that means to change sides. This is usually used in the context of the change of [[allegiance]], [[duty]] or [[loyalty]] particularly in a [[politics|political]] context. In a religious context defection is known as [[apostasy]].
The word is often associated with the [[Cold War]] when individuals would ''defect'' from say [[Soviet Union|Russia]] or [[DDR|East Germany]] to the West, although some traitors also moved the opposite way from the [[United States]] or [[United Kingdom]]. Defectors often supplied valuable [[intelligence]] to the opposition and intelligence agencies often tried to delay their defection for as long as possible. As a reward they would often be given a [[house]] and [[job]] in their adopted [[country]] but ultimately they often ended up sad and lonely in their new [[home]].
Defection can also means failure, lack, or loss: e.g. He was overcome by a sudden defection of [[humor]].
[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Language]]
nsTeam1RO, nsTeam1RW, nsTeam1_talkRO, nsTeam1_talkRW