■ verb
1》 win a victory over.
2》 prevent the achievement of (an aim): this ~s the object of the exercise.
↘be too difficult for.
↘ Law make null and void.
■ noun an instance of ~ing or being ~ed.
Derivatives
~ed adjective
~edly adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. desfait 'undone', past participle of desfaire , from med. L. disfacere 'undo'.