v. & n.
v.tr. 1 overcome in a battle or other contest. 2 frustrate, baffle. 3 reject (a motion etc.) by voting. 4 Law annul.
n. the act or process of defeating or being defeated.
[ ME f. OF deffait, desfait past part. of desfaire f. med.L disfacere (as DIS-, L facere do) ]