De*feat" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Defeated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Defeating.] [From F. défait, OF. desfait,
p. p. ofe défaire, OF. desfaire, to undo; L.
dis- + facere to do. See Feat, Fact, and
cf. Disfashion.] 1. To undo; to
disfigure; to destroy. [Obs.]
His unkindness may defeat my life.
Shak.
2. To render null and void, as a title; to
frustrate, as hope; to deprive, as of an estate.
He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being
that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his
hopes.
Tillotson.
The escheators . . . defeated the right heir of
his succession.
Hallam.
In one instance he defeated his own
purpose.
A. W. Ward.
3. To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to
check, disperse, or ruin by victory; to overthrow.
4. To resist with success; as, to
defeat an assault.
Sharp reasons to defeat the law.
Shak.
Syn. -- To baffle; disappoint; frustrate.
De*feat", n. [Cf. F.
défaite, fr. défaire. See Defeat,
v.] 1. An undoing or
annulling; destruction. [Obs.]
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damned defeat was made.
Shak.
2. Frustration by rendering null and void, or
by prevention of success; as, the defeat of a plan or
design.
3. An overthrow, as of an army in battle;
loss of a battle; repulse suffered; discomfiture; -- opposed to
victory.
