v.
- win a victory over.
- prevent the achievement of (an aim):
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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’.
