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.
Etymology: ME f. OF deffait, desfait past part. of desfaire f. med.L disfacere (as DIS-, L facere do)