—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)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.