\De*feat"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defeated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defeating}.] [From F. d['e]fait, OF. desfait, p. p. ofe
d['e]faire, 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. d['e]faite, fr. d['e]faire. 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.