De*face" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Defacing.] [OE. defacen to disfigure, efface, OF. desfacier; L. dis- + facies face. See Face, and cf. Efface.]
1.
To destroy or mar the face or external appearance of; to disfigure; to injure, spoil, or mar, by effacing or obliterating important features or portions of; as, to deface a monument; to deface an edifice; to deface writing; to deface a note, deed, or bond; to deface a record.
"This high face
defaced."
Emerson.
So by false learning is good sense defaced.
Pope.
2. [Cf. F. d'efaire.]
To destroy; to make null.
[Obs.]
[Profane scoffing] doth . . . deface the reverence of religion.
Bacon.
For all his power was utterly defaste [defaced].
Spenser.
Syn. -- See Efface.
© Webster 1913.