v.
  - win a victory over.
- prevent the achievement of (an aim):![]()  this defeats the object of the exercise. ▸be too difficult for. ▸Law  make null and void. 
n.
 an instance of defeating or being defeated.
Derivative
  
    - defeated adj.
- defeatedly adv.
 
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. desfait ‘undone’, past part. of desfaire, from med. L. disfacere ‘undo’.