v.
Pronunciation: di- ' f ā s, d ē -
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French *desfacer, *deffacer, from des- de- + face front, face
Date: 14th century
1 : to mar the appearance of : injure by effacing significant details < deface an inscription>
2 : IMPAIR
3 obsolete : DESTROY
– de · face · ment \ - ' f ā s-m ə nt \ noun
– de · fac · er noun