də̇ˈfās, dēˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English defacen to disfigure, efface, from Middle French desfacier, deffacier, from Old French, from des- de- + -facier (from face ) — more at face
1. : to destroy or mar the face or external appearance of : disfigure : injure, spoil, or mar by effacing important features or portions of
deface an inscription
deface a bond
2. : to impair in value, influence, or effect
3. obsolete : destroy , efface , erase
4. obsolete
a. : defame , discredit
b. : to face down : outshine
this holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface — God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen