from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Deface \De*face"\ (d[-e]*f[=a]s"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defaced}
(d[-e]*f[=a]st"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Defacing}.] [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.
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So by false learning is good sense defaced. --Pope.
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2. [Cf. F. d['e]faire.] To destroy; to make null. [Obs.]
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[Profane scoffing] doth . . . deface the reverence
of religion. --Bacon.
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For all his power was utterly defaste [defaced].
--Spenser.
Syn: See {Efface}.
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