Present participle of defeat; overcoming or winning against an opponent. Causing something to fail or preventing success.
From Old French 'desfait,' past participle of 'desfaire' meaning 'to undo,' from Latin 'dis-' (un-) and 'facere' (to make). Originally meant 'to unmake' or 'to destroy what was made,' later specialized to mean overcoming in battle or competition.
Try Another Word