\De*fray"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defrayed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defraying}.] [F. d['e]frayer; pref. d['e]- (L. de or
dis-) + frais expense, fr. LL. fredum, fridum, expense, fine
by which an offender obtained peace from his sovereign, or
more likely, atoned for an offense against the public peace,
fr. OHG. fridu peace, G. friede. See {Affray}.]
1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to provide
   for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc.
         For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying his
         cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much.
                                               --Usher.
2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to satisfy; as, to
   defray wrath. [Obs.] --Spenser.