DEFAST

DEFACE

De*face", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Defacing.] Etym: [OE. defacen to disfigure, efface, OF. desfacier; L. dis- + facies face. See Face, and cf. Efface.]

1. To destroy or mar the face or external appearance of; to disfigure; to injure, spoil, or mar, by effacing or obliterating important features or portions of; as, to deface a monument; to deface an edifice; to deface writing; to deface a note, deed, or bond; to deface a record. "This high face defaced." Emerson. So by false learning is good sense defaced. Pope.

2. Etym: [Cf. F. défaire.]

Definition: To destroy; to make null. [Obs.] [Profane scoffing] doth . . . deface the reverence of religion. Bacon. For all his power was utterly defaste [defaced]. Spenser.

Syn.

– See Efface.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition