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deface. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
deface, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
deface in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
deface you have here. The definition of the word
deface will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
deface, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English defacen, from Old French defacier, desfacier (“to mutilate, destroy, disfigure”), from des- (“away from”) (see dis-) + Late Latin facia.
Pronunciation
Verb
deface (third-person singular simple present defaces, present participle defacing, simple past and past participle defaced)
- To damage or vandalize something, especially a surface, in a visible or conspicuous manner.
After the painting was defaced a decade ago, it went viral and has been a tourist attraction ever since.
- To void or devalue; to nullify or degrade the face value of.
- He defaced the I.O.U. notes by scrawling "void" over them.
- 1776: Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations
- One-and-twenty worn and defaced shillings, however, were considered as equivalent to a guinea, which perhaps, indeed, was worn and defaced too, but seldom so much so.
- (heraldry, flags) To alter a coat of arms or a flag by adding an element to it.
You get the Finnish state flag by defacing the national flag with the state coat of arms placed in the middle of the cross.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
heraldry: to alter by adding a new element
See also