mass noun
- the state of being without or not having enough of something没有, 缺乏：
the case was dismissed for lack of evidence
因缺乏证据该案件被撤销
there is no lack of entertainment aboard ship
在船上不缺少娱乐
in sing. there is a lack of parking space in the town.城里缺少停车的地方。
with obj.
- be without or deficient in没有, 缺少：
the novel lacks imagination
这部小说缺乏想像
no obj. she lacks in patience她缺少耐心
Sam did not lack for friends.
萨姆并不缺少朋友。
词源
Middle English: corresponding to, and perhaps partly from, Middle Dutch and Middle Low German lak 'deficiency', Middle Dutch laken 'lack, blame'.