defeat

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His unkindness may defeat my life. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To render null and void, as a title; to frustrate, as hope; to deprive, as of an estate. [ 1913 Webster ]

He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his hopes. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The escheators . . . defeated the right heir of his succession. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

In one instance he defeated his own purpose. A. W. Ward. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to check, disperse, or ruin by victory; to overthrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sharp reasons to defeat the law. Shak.

Syn. -- To baffle; disappoint; frustrate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. acceptance of the inevitability of defeat. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ OF. desfaiture a killing, disguising, prop., an undoing. See Defeat, and cf. Disfeature. ] 1. Overthrow; defeat. [ Obs. ] “Nothing but loss in their defeature.” Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disfigurement; deformity. [ Obs. ] “Strange defeatures in my face.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]