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.
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.
Hear it pronounced